![]() ![]() But with intense fighting continuing, and farms either shut down or occupied by Russian soldiers, future food output is very likely to be jeopardised. A halt in agricultural exports is bad for Ukraine as agriculture is a major source of its export revenue – 45% in 2020, amounting to $22.2 billion (International Trade Administration, ITA, 2022).Īt the time of writing, there are still a few weeks left before the spring planting season in Ukraine. The Russian invasion has resulted in the suspension of commercial operations in Ukraine’s ports, hampering the country’s ability to export its products. Source: World Integrated Trade Solution, WITS (2022) Figure 1: Share of total world exports for major food-related commodities (2020) ![]() Table 1: Ranking of world production of major food crops (2020) Commodity Russia and Ukraine – together sometimes called the ‘breadbasket of Europe’ – are top producers and exporters of several important grains (such as wheat and maize) and vegetable oils (see Table 1). How is the war affecting food production? Potential Russian responses to the sanctions could also have a negative effect on global food supplies. In response, severe economic sanctions have been levied on Russia in a bid to end the war. ![]() Nevertheless, this substantial shock to the local population is likely to have an adverse effect on the country’s capacity to produce and export food products. It is difficult to verify these numbers, and many commentators fear the toll could be far higher. More than three million Ukrainians (about 4.5% of its population) have fled to safety in other countries (OHCHR, 2022). As of 20 March 2022, 977 verified civilian deaths have been recorded, with 1,459 reportedly injured (UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, OHCHR, 2022). War always results in deaths, destruction and forced displacement. Between 720 and 811 million people went hungry in 2020, and this number is expected to go up in 2022 ( United Nations, UN, 2021). Even before the war in February 2022, many countries around the world were struggling to get access to adequate food supplies following the economic downturn triggered by Covid-19. Ukraine is a major exporter of wheat, corn and sunflower oil – and the Russian invasion is expected to lead to a further deepening of global food insecurity. ![]()
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