The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has exceeded 10 months. The United Nations: More than 345 million people in the world are seriously short of food
According to a report on the website of Singapore's "Lianhe Zaobao" on the 4th, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has lasted for more than 10 months, and the global food crisis it triggered has caused widespread famine, poverty and premature death.
The United Nations World Food Program estimates that more than 345 million people are suffering from or are at risk of severe food insecurity, more than double the number in 2019.
Before the conflict broke out, Russia and Ukraine accounted for a quarter of the world's wheat exports. After the conflict broke out, the exports of the two countries decreased significantly.
From March to November last year, Ukraine exported an average of 3.5 million tonnes of grain and rapeseed per month, down sharply from an average of 5-7 million tonnes per month before the conflict, according to authorities.
Food shortages and high prices are causing unbearable suffering in Africa, Asia and the Americas, according to The New York Times.
According to reports, due to the soaring costs, countries such as Egypt and Lebanon have found it difficult to repay debts on imported food and other expenses. Even in rich countries like the US and UK, inflation fueled by conflict has left poorer people hungry.
According to reports, before the outbreak of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the new crown pandemic caused supply chain disruptions, and three consecutive years of drought in the world's major grain producing countries, the United States, Brazil and Argentina, have pushed food prices to their highest level in more than 10 years. The weakening of the exchange rates of many currencies against the US dollar has also caused these countries to purchase less grain on the international market than in previous years.
“There are a lot of structural problems that are already there, and the conflict is making it worse,” said Menkel, president of GroInfo, a climate and agricultural data platform that tracks food prices.
According to reports, last year, food prices rose around the world, especially in the Middle East, North Africa and South America. “Prices of everything are going up, from 60% in the U.S. to 1,900% in Sudan,” Menkel said.
Food prices have fallen from their spring peaks over the past six months, but remain much higher than usual, United Nations data show. Food prices are expected to rise further in the future.
One of the uncertainties farmers face this winter is soaring fertilizer prices. Fertilizer is one of farmers' biggest costs, and they pass it on by raising their selling prices. In addition, they will use less fertilizer, which will lead to lower yields and higher food prices.
