Somalia has undergone a shift, with prices on the rise following the suspension of the Black Sea grain deal

MOGADISHU, Somalia – a noticeable trend of escalating market prices has emerged subsequent to Russia’s decision to temporarily halt its involvement in the Black Sea grain arrangement.

Within the African continent, a considerable number of 25 nations presently lean heavily on Russia and Ukraine to supply more than a third of their imported wheat. In certain countries, the reliance on external sources for grain has surged past the 90% mark.

During the momentous Russia-Africa Summit convened on the 27th of July, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a significant announcement, expressing his country’s intention to furnish complimentary grain shipments to six African nations within the span of the upcoming three to four months.

“Within the upcoming few months, approximately three to four, we shall be poised to furnish Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea with an allocation ranging between 25,000 to 50,000 metric tons of grain, free of charge. Furthermore, we commit to undertaking the free transportation of this commodity to the consumers,” Putin conveyed in his inaugural address during the Russia-Africa Summit held in St. Petersburg.

This sequence of events followed Russia’s decision on the 17th of July to suspend its engagement in the Black Sea grain agreement.

The Russian authorities asserted that the stipulated Russian portion of the agreement had not been effectively executed. Their demand included the relaxation of financial restrictions and the opportunity to ship fertilizers before re-engaging with the agreement.

The agreement in question was originally signed in July of the prior year, 2022, in the city of Istanbul. It was a joint endeavor involving Turkey, the United Nations, Russia, and Ukraine.

The primary objective of the agreement was to revive the halted grain exports from Ukrainian ports, a consequence of the hostilities between Russia and Ukraine that commenced in February of the same year.

Turkey, a key participant in the deal, has conveyed the sentiment that Western nations should earnestly address Russia’s grievances, aspiring for Russia’s eventual return to the pact.