The Daily How the War in Ukraine is Creating a Global Food Crisis
Apr 5, 2022
Jack Nicas, the Brazil bureau chief for The New York Times, shares insights on how the war in Ukraine is triggering a global food crisis. The conflict disrupts supply chains for vital crops like wheat and corn, significantly affecting food security in Africa and the Middle East. Nicas highlights the reliance on Russian fertilizers for Brazilian farmers, complicating the situation. The discussion delves into the interconnectedness of geopolitical tensions and agricultural production, emphasizing the impending rise in hunger and social unrest.
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Breadbasket Disrupted
- Russia and Ukraine are major producers of wheat, corn, barley, sunflower oil, and fertilizer.
- Together, they account for nearly 30% of global wheat exports and 12% of the world's calories.
Food Supply Trapped
- The war and sanctions have trapped a huge food supply, impacting global access.
- Ukraine's fields are battlefields, and its ports are blocked.
Wheat Dependence Crisis
- Many countries, especially in Africa and the Middle East, rely heavily on Ukrainian and Russian wheat.
- Some, like Eritrea and Armenia, import almost all their wheat from these two nations, while others, like Egypt, rely on them for about three-quarters.