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Denys Marchuk warns of severe economic impact as Russian blockade of Black Sea ports threatens Ukraine's agricultural exports

Ukrainian farmers face a significant economic crisis as Russian military strikes have brought the ports in the Odesa region to a standstill. Denys Marchuk, deputy chairman of the All-Ukrainian Agrarian Council, noted that while the country has harvested over 28 million tons of grain and pulses, a large portion of the harvest cannot be sold due to the lack of maritime shipping routes. This blockade is considered a greater threat to the Ukrainian economy than the full-scale invasion of 2022. To mitigate the losses, the Ukrainian government is seeking alternative land routes via rail and road, though these are currently hampered by high costs and infrastructure limitations. Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotsky stated that restoring safe shipping routes remains the top priority, as land-based alternatives are only temporary measures. The crisis is further complicated by high fertilizer prices and global weather patterns, including a El Niño event, which are expected to add pressure to global food security and domestic production costs.

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