World food prices could rise by 8-20% after the war in Ukraine, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimated on Friday, which warns of a projected rise in global malnutrition. Emmanuel Macron also fears famine in Africa due to the conflict.
Russia is the world’s largest exporter wheat as well as Ukraine fifth. Together, the two countries provide more than a third of world exports cereals (19% for barley, 14% for wheat and 4% for corn). “Probable disruptions in the agricultural activities of these two main exporters of raw materials may seriously exacerbate food insecurity on an international scale“FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said in a statement.
The UN agency’s Food Price Index, which measures the price dynamics of the world’s main food commodities, has already hit a record high in February.
The risks of his flight continue in the coming months, when the consequences of the conflict will spread WorldFAO warns.
At least 20% loss
In its preliminary assessment of the consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, FAO draws attention to the uncertainty associated with the harvest in Ukraine, as well as the export of Russian agricultural products, not to mention the fact that Russia is also a major exporter of agricultural products and fertilizers. In particular, from 20% to 30% of winter crops, corn and sunflower. will not plant or harvest in Ukraine in the 2022-2023 season, while Russian exports are expected to be disrupted by international sanctions.
According to FAO, 50 countries, many of which among the poorest in the worlddepend on Russia and Ukraine for no more than 30% of their wheat supplies and will therefore be particularly vulnerable to the current crisis.
Risks in the coming months
“An additional eight to thirteen million people could be undernourished globally in 2022/23,” FAO warns, specifying that the progression of undernourishment will be particularly pronounced in Asia and the Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa.
Shared Statement Immanuel Macron This Friday. The President stated after the Versailles summit that “Europe and Africa will be very deeply nutritionally unstable“in the next 12-18 months. “We need to rethink our production strategies to protect our sovereignty over food and protein in Europe, and rethink our strategy for Africa,” he wished.
Emmanuel Macron: Without a new production strategy “in 12-18 months Europe and Africa will be very deeply destabilized in terms of food” pic.twitter.com/F87mzmP5L4
— BFMTV (@BFMTV) March 11, 2022
The G7 countries are also prepared for the risk of shortages and famine. They addressed this Friday to the international community avoid any measures that restrict food exports not to aggravate growth Prices.
“We have to ensure that prices don’t skyrocket further due to market distortions if some countries prevent exports,” said Cem Özdemir, Germany’s agriculture minister, who on Friday said he was “very concerned” about the risk.