"We recognize the importance of the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes, [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelensky’s Grain from Ukraine Initiative and the UN and Turkiye-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI). In this context, we strongly support the extension, full implementation and expansion of BSGI," the communique read.
G7 ministers also accused Russia of allegedly using food "as a means of destabilization and as tool of geopolitical coercion."
"We will continue to design our restrictive measures against Russia to shield population in need from unintended consequences by ensuring food and fertilizers are carved out," the document added.
The officials stated that diversifying international and regional supply chains of agricultural products is important for all countries in their effort to improve long-term sustainability of the supplies.
"We emphasize the importance of diversifying international, regional and local supply chains of agricultural products and inputs in order to improve their resilience and sustainability in the long term. We recognise that most countries currently rely on both domestic production and international trade for their food supply," the communique said.
In the document, the agriculture ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to "fair, open, transparent, predictable, non-discriminatory and rules based trade."
Russia, Ukraine, Turkiye and the UN reached an agreement on July 22, 2022, to provide a humanitarian maritime corridor for ships carrying food and fertilizer exports from Ukrainian Black Sea ports. On March 18, Russia extended the deal for 60 days, until May 18.