Products will increase in price as blockade prevents access to Ukraine ports

Staple food products are set to increase in price as Russian navy blockades are preventing commercial shipping to Ukrainian ports, the Ministry of Defence has said.

Since the start of the war, prices have already jumped up for some vital food supplies as a result of a Ukrainian grains not being able to be exported.

Calls have been made for the international community to help, with Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK stating that the international community has a responsibility to reopen Ukraine’s grain exports.

So far, the UK and allies have said there are “no current plans” for Royal Navy warships to help break Russia’s blockade.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of Defence said: “There has been no significant merchant shipping activity in or out of Odessa since the start of the war. Russia’s subsequent naval blockade of key Black Sea ports has deterred the commercial shipping industry from operating in the area.

“Ukraine’s overland export mechanisms are highly unlikely to substitute for the shortfall in shipping capacity caused by the Russian blockade. As a result, significant supplies of Ukrainian grain remain in storage unable to be exported.

“Fighting has already placed indirect pressure on global grain prices. While the threat of Russia’s naval blockade continues to deter access by commercial shipping to Ukrainian ports, the resulting supply shortfalls will further increase the price of many staple products.”

During an interview on TalkTv’s The News Desk on Tuesday, Vadym Prystaiko said President Volodymyr Zelensky is working with the UK Government to force an end to the blockade.

He added: “I believe that all of us, we have responsibility (to) other nations and their food security. There are so many unrests around the globe and lives will be threatened.

“Of all these people, Ukraine will survive, we have enough food and grains, at least grains for us… I believe that a viable solution is the ports to be unblocked. And this is something we’re working with your governments with the rest of the governments around the globe.”

A UK Government spokesperson said on Tuesday it was continuing to work “intensively” with international partners to find ways to resume the export of grain from Ukraine.