Developing countries are at risk of a food crisis due to the war in Ukraine. The rise in wheat prices is dangerously raising food prices.
The international price of wheat is breaking one record after another. Wheat is 50% more expensive in the world as the world ‘s leading agricultural commodity exchange in Chicago than before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The reason for the price jump is that Russia and Ukraine are among the largest producers and exporters of wheat, says Matin Kaim, head of the German Research Center for Development ZEF in Bonn: “Russia and Ukraine together account for about a third of the world wheat trade “, says the German expert.
Russia is by far the largest producer of wheat in the world, followed by the United States, Canada, France and Ukraine in fifth place. But as Matthew Cain points out, the difficulties follow: “The largest volume of wheat production from Russia and Ukraine is exported in the autumn. Consequently, the biggest difficulties are still ahead of us.”
“They can do nothing but eat less”
According to the expert, the war does not only put obstacles in the way of exports. If it lasts, then sowing and harvesting will be delayed, affecting the international price of wheat. Developing countries such as Egypt and Lebanon, which import 70 to 90% of the food they consume, will face a particular problem: “We are seeing rising prices not only for wheat but also for other foods. For the poorer sections of society in “Developing countries means primarily hunger. Because they can do nothing but eat less.” Turkey is also significantly dependent on wheat imports.
For the head of the ZEF Development Research Center in Bonn, the question now is to find ways to allow wheat exports from Russia to prevent collateral losses, especially in developing countries. To achieve this goal, Matin Kaim proposes that there be exceptions to Western sanctions against Russia, which will only apply to wheat exports.
Andreas Becker Edited by: Stefanos Georgakopoulos
Source: Deutsche Welle
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