Ukraine Crop Deal Misses Target as Russia Slow-Walks Ship Checks
- Number of outbound vessels cleared in January hits 5-month low
- Delays weigh on farmers’ incomes and raise costs for traders
Piles of grain during an inspection in Istanbul, Turkey.
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From his post at the mouth of the Black Sea, Ukrainian ship inspector Ruslan Sakhautdinov has seen his Russian counterparts repeatedly slow the flow of his country’s grain abroad — from scrutinizing fuel gauges to crews’ personal belongings.
Last year’s landmark deal to reopen some Ukrainian ports for vital food exports included a requirement that joint teams from Ukraine, Russia, the United Nations and Turkey inspect each ship. The idea is to prevent unauthorized cargo or passengers from moving in and out.