According to reporting from the television network, Turkey saw a notable drop in wheat prices from about 440 dollars to around 320 dollars per ton, a shift attributed to the operations of the grain corridor established through the so-called grain deal. This assessment comes from official remarks reported by TRT and references the findings of Vakhit Kirishchi, who serves in the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture. The fluctuating price trend reflects the broader impact of the agreement on global food markets, illustrating how emergency measures can influence commodity dynamics even amid ongoing geopolitical strain.
As of January 5, data cited indicate that 16.8 million tons of agricultural commodities, including grain, had been exported through the grain corridor by 626 vessels. Kirishchi highlighted the historical price context, noting that at the onset of the Ukraine conflict wheat traded at roughly 440 dollars per tonne, yet current prices have fallen below 320 dollars. This price movement underscores the corridor’s role in stabilizing supply chains and providing Ukraine with an export route that mitigates some of the risk associated with disruption of traditional channels.
Kirishchi also outlined the distribution of Ukrainian wheat shipments to global markets, offering a snapshot of demand patterns. He reported that about 54 percent of Ukrainian wheat reached Europe, 28 percent went to Asia, while Africa and the Middle East together accounted for around 18 percent (12 percent and 6 percent respectively). This geographic spread reveals the diverse demand landscape and the strategic importance of supply routes that connect Ukrainian production with distant buyers in a time of supply uncertainty.
In a separate briefing from the Turkish Ministry of National Defense, officials noted that since the initiative began, approximately 17 million tons of grain have been exported through the humanitarian corridor. This figure aligns with ongoing monitoring of corridor throughput and reflects sustained international cooperation to maintain grain flows during the conflict. The timeline recognizes the eventual formalization of a corridor agreement as a collaborative effort among the involved parties.
On July 22, a formal agreement was reached among representatives from Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Nations to create a corridor for exporting agricultural products from Ukraine via the Black Sea. This multi-party accord established a framework intended to safeguard maritime routes, coordinate inspections, and facilitate predictable shipments to global markets. The arrangement is widely viewed as a critical mechanism for addressing food security concerns in multiple regions while balancing security considerations for the ships traversing the area.