The Issue of Stolen Grain: Ukraine’s Potential EU Sanctions on Bangladesh

The government of Ukraine is considering seeking EU sanctions on firms and public officials in Bangladesh for their alleged involvement in importing cargoes of grain that are partially sourced from occupied territories. This practice involves exporters in Russia’s Black Sea region mixing grain from Russia with grain from parts of Ukraine currently under Russian occupation.

Ukraine views agricultural goods from these occupied areas as stolen, and officials in Kyiv actively work to discourage foreign buyers from engaging in this practice. Previously, the Syrian government was a major customer before the collapse of the Assad regime. However, other nations’ importers, including traders in Bangladesh, have continued to purchase this mixed grain, according to Ukrainian diplomats.

Letters obtained by Reuters reveal that Ukraine’s embassy in New Delhi has notified the Bangladeshi foreign ministry about the issue. It is estimated that up to 150,000 tonnes of stolen grain were shipped from Kavkaz to Bangladeshi ports, mixed in with “legitimate” Russian grain and undetectable to the buyer. Despite warnings of potential sanctions and providing a list of specific vessel names, officials in Dhaka have not responded to the Ukrainian ambassador’s concerns.

Currently, the vessels involved in this trade are not under any sanctions. Historically, the EU, UK, and U.S. have primarily focused on sanctioning tankers, which constitute the majority of Russia’s export shipments by value. However, Ukraine has taken action by seizing two ships allegedly carrying stolen grain from Russian loading ports and plans to auction off one of them.