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Transcript/ScriptUkraine Grain Reax – Kosstutschenko
HEADLINE: Ukrainian Farmers React to Russia’s Grain Deal Withdrawal
TEASER:
PUBLISHED AT: 07/20/2023 at
BYLINE: Anna Kosstutschenko
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Kyiv region, Ukraine
VIDEOGRAPHER: Pavel Suhodolskiy
VIDEO EDITOR: Pavel Suhodolskiy
SCRIPT EDITORS: KEnochs; MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Story Hunter
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:44
VID APPROVED BY: KE
EDITOR NOTES:
((PLEASE RETURN TO ANNA RICE AND COPY TO HFR PLEASE
KE Note: The Centre for Global Studies spells their name with the ‘re’ in Center))
((INTRO))
[[Ukrainian farmers are busy harvesting wheat crops, just as Russia has withdrawn from a deal allowing Ukraine to export grain through ports on the Black Sea. After Monday’s move, the Kremlin launched attacks on Ukrainian ports and grain hubs, causing global graine prices to surge. Anna Kosstutschenko spoke with Ukrainian farmers about how this will impact them.]]
((NARRATION))
With three decades of farming experience, Ruslan Holub has cultivated valuable connections with prominent global traders.
And even before Russia pulled out of a deal to allow Ukrainian grain shipments from Black Sea ports, he says Moscow [pron– [mos-coe] purposely tried to delay those shipments.
((Ruslan Holub, Farmer)) ((UKR))
“I have spoken to many traders and all of them said that Russian inspectors only created unnecessary queues // many ships were simply on hold.”
((NARRATION))
Ukraine has been working to establish new routes along the Danube River and land routes through Slovakia and Poland. But Holub says so far, the Black Sea route remains the best.
((Ruslan Holub, Farmer)) ((UKR))
“The sea lets us save on logistics. // This affects the on-site production cost for farmers.”
((NARRATION))
Dutch farmer Kees Huizinga has been working in Ukraine for over two decades. He worries that he will lose his entire harvest if he cannot ship through the Black Sea routes.
((Kees Huizinga, Farmer)) ((ENG))
“All this wheat behind me we will lose. It’s a pity because if we cannot export it; we cannot eat it by ourselves. Black Sea is the only option to get this stuff out.”
((NARRATION))
This year, Ukrainian farmers have seen a significant drop in grain prices. Holub says he and other farmers are selling their harvest for about 150 dollars per ton, half the price of 2022.
((Ruslan Holub, Farmer)) ((UKR))
“Currently, we are on the verge of zero earnings, or even losses. How can this be? Ukrainian farmers are hardworking by nature, and they understand we will eventually return to the levels of income we once had. But it is essential to continue planting despite the current challenges.”
((NARRATION))
Ukrainians are counting on international partners, like Turkey and the UN to ensure their grain exports on the Black Sea. Pavlo Lakiychuk is from the Centre for Global Studies.
((Pavlo Lakiychuk, Centre for Global Studies)) ((UKR))
“If necessary, under the auspices of the UN, Turkey can ensure the security of the grain corridor without Russia. The essence of this proposal lies in the fact that ships moving towards our ports and in the Black Sea straits fly various flags, from Togo to Turkey. Therefore, any attack by Russia on any ship would be considered an act of piracy.”
((NARRATION))
After withdrawing from the grain deal, Russia started shelling Ukrainian grain storage facilities. President Zelensky says bolstering air defense systems аt Ukrainian ports like Odesa could help mitigate threats and maintain stable global food prices.
((Anna Kosstutschenko for VOA news Kyiv region Ukraine))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Kyiv region Ukraine
Embargo DateJuly 20, 2023 18:21 EDT
Byline
Anna Kosstutschenko for VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
