Black Sea Grain Initiative Extended For 120 Days-Turkey's Erdogan

Easing global fears regarding supplies of grain, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed that the Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered alongside the UN, will continue for another 120 days from 19 November.

• Erdogan: "With the delivery of more than 11 million tonnes of grains and foodstuffs to those in need via approximately 500 ships over the past four months, the significance and benefits of this agreement for the food supply and security of the world have become evident."
• Russia has stated that it will not 'cut off' supplies, despite concerns that recent military setbacks in the Kherson region of Ukraine - sparking a backlash of missile fire against Ukrainian cities - could result in Russia reneging on the deal.
• There is still no agreement on the safe provision of Russian ammonia to the Black Sea via pipelines. Ammonia is an important component of many fertilisers, and while the grain deal has eased global food security concerns somewhat, there remains a major crunch in fertiliser supply due to the war in Ukraine.