More shipments of grain have continued to leave ports in Ukraine this week, despite Russia’s suspension of its support for the Black Sea grain export deal.

The Black Sea grain deal was brokered by the UN and Turkey back in the summer, which meant exports were able to resume through ports in the region. It is this deal that Russian president, Vladimir Putin has now suspended in what appears to be a retaliatory action for an earlier attack by Ukraine on the port of Sevastopol.

Despite Russia’s support being withdrawn the BBC reported that on Monday of this week 354,000 tonnes of food left Ukraine on 12 ships.

Josep Borrell, the foreign policy chief for the EU has told Russia that by jeopardising or attacking exports of grain and fertilisers from Ukraine would only make the current global food crisis in some countries worse. Around 40,000 tonnes of grain on one of this week’s shipments is bound for Ethiopia where mass starvation is reported to be imminent.

At the start of the war, back in February, it was estimated that around 20 million tonnes of grain, along with other foodstuffs was blockaded by the Russians, resulting in the export deal made in July.