U.N.: Ukraine War Impacting World’s Food Security

The United Nations says the war in Ukraine is already resulting in higher food prices and a shortage of staple crops in central Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has severely cut down on shipments from the two countries, which combine to ship 25% of the world’s wheat exports and 16% of global corn exports.

Reuters said the surging grain prices are starting to pressure retail food prices in some of the world’s poorest countries.

The U.N.’s International Fund for Agricultural Development said, “The conflict in Ukraine is already a tragedy for the world’s poorest people living in rural areas, where we are already seeing price hikes.”

Those price hikes are going to drive up the number of hungry people living in poverty, and that could have dire implications for global stability. Wheat prices are close to the levels seen during the last food crisis in 2007 and 2008.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com