Grain shipment from Ukraine major development in the food commodity sector - Pandohie

Chief Executive Officer of the Seprod Group Richard Pandohie says today's announcement that tonnes of grains were allowed to leave war-torn Ukraine is a major development in the food commodity sector.

Four more ships carrying grain and sunflower oil left the Ukraine ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk today for the international market.

Millions of tonnes of grain have been stuck in Ukraine due to Russian blockades, leading to shortages and higher food prices in other countries.

But last week the first ship left Ukraine's ports since February.

In an interview with Radio Jamaica News, Mr. Pandohie, whose company, Seprod, is one of the largest distributors of food in Jamaica, welcomed today's news.

He said this could lead to a reduction in food prices in the coming weeks.

Mr. Pandohie also admitted that consumers are buying less food due to the high prices and this is affecting the operations of food distributors.