The deal, aimed at ensuring global food security, was set to expire on Thursday but was prolonged following Russia's threat to withdraw from the initiative due to perceived obstacles in their grain and fertilizer shipments.

The latest ship, DSM Capella, departed from a Ukrainian port carrying 30,000 tons of corn and is en route to Türkiye.

This landmark wartime pact, facilitated by the United Nations and Türkiye, was established last summer to address the global food crisis exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a major grain exporter.

The agreement also included provisions to facilitate Russian food and fertilizer shipments, which Moscow claims have not been implemented.

“The agreement was extended for another two months, thanks to the efforts of our country and the contributions of our Russian and Ukrainian friends,” Erdoğan said.

The groundbreaking wartime agreement facilitated the movement of grain from Ukraine to nations in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, where the looming danger of hunger and escalating food prices are pushing more individuals into poverty.

The conflict in Ukraine resulted in an unprecedented surge in food prices last year, exacerbating a worldwide food crisis compounded by the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate-related issues such as drought. (ILKHA)