US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said on Thursday that it was “a little early” to predict the impact Russia’s attack on Ukraine will have on the agricultural industry and food prices for American consumers.
“I think it’s a little early to make projections and make assumptions about the circumstances,” he said.
“If I were a commissioner or a secretary [de agricultura] in a European country, I would probably have a very different feeling about it,” he added. “I think in the US we are lucky. We have tremendous production capacity.”
He later noted that while it’s still “too early” to predict the impact in Europe, “I don’t anticipate a circumstance where American consumers will necessarily see the kind of food-side impact and effect” that European consumers may experience. .
His comments come as concerns grow over what a Russian invasion of Ukraine could mean for agricultural products around the world.
Russia is the world’s largest exporter of wheat, and Ukraine is also a major exporter of wheat and maize.
Vilsack said on Thursday that “it will take some time” for the potential impact on various agricultural products to be felt and urged companies not to take “unfair advantage” of the situation.
“I sincerely hope that no company out there – be it fertilizer or any other supply that could be affected by this – takes unfair advantage of this circumstance and situation,” Vilsack said.
Vilsack further promised “to do everything we can to provide the level of assistance and help that will allow people who might be negatively impacted by this to get through as best they can.”
Source: CNN Brasil
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