Turkey: Ukraine wheat deal extended

The deal that allows Ukraine to export its grain to world markets via the Black Sea has been extended until July. The reaching of an agreement for the extension of the deadline that would have expired at midnight on Saturday was announced by the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan without specifying the duration. It was spelled out from Kiev. Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said the agreement was extended for 120 days. Via Twitter he thanked Erdogan, Antonio Guterres and all 'our partners': "Thanks to our joint efforts, 25 million tons of Ukrainian wheat have been delivered to world markets". The decision on the "Black Sea Grains Initiative" calms concerns about a possible global food crisis. 40% of exports go to developing countries. The agreement was signed on 22 July last by Ukraine and Russia with the mediation of Turkey and the UN.