The first stage of launching agricultural exports outside the grain deal has already taken place - two ships have entered and left Ukrainian ports.

In the current difficult conditions, increasing the volume of food exports by sea to 30% of the level that was exported before the full-scale invasion would improve the work with exports. This issue was stated by Denys Marchuk, Deputy Chairman of the Ukrainian Agri Council, on the National Telethon.

He reminded that until February 24, 2022, 6-7 million tons of agricultural products were exported from seaports every month.

"The work of the maritime humanitarian corridor developed by our military is encouraging. As of September 25, only two vessels with a total volume of 20,000 tons have left. But they have shown that the corridor can work. It is important that with these two voyages, the Ukrainian Armed Forces demonstrated that ships can enter the territorial waters of Ukraine, load and leave. This is a signal to the world that security in the waters under our control is ensured. Further, the free passage of ships through the sea routes will only improve. At the moment, the danger still remains, especially in ports," said Denys Marchuk.

According to the UAC Deputy Chairman, there are currently 120,000 of food products in the queue for passage to Ukrainian seaports. There are also ships waiting to export industrial goods. In addition, the efficiency of river ports is growing.

"Despite the constant shelling by the Russians, river ports are now exporting Ukrainian agricultural products quite efficiently. In September, we will have a good result in exporting agricultural products in this area - about 3 million tons. In general, we need to establish stable monthly exports of 4.5 million tons of food products for the normal functioning of the Ukrainian agricultural sector," said Denys Marchuk.