The Ukraine-Russia war is affecting the lives and livelihoods of the people of Ukraine, and also threatening the food supply of Europe, Africa and Asia. People in these continents rely on the fertile farmland of Ukraine- known as the breadbasket of Europe. Ukrainian farmers have been forced to abandon their vast fields of wheat and flee to survive the devastating war. Ports that sent wheat to be made into bread, animal feed and noodles, are shut down. The global bread supply is threatened. Read on to know more.
Wheat Prices Have Gone Up By 55 Percent Since Ukraine-Russia War
According to a report by India Today, the war if prolonged can lead to food insecurity and lead people in Egypt and Lebanon into poverty. Bread is the staple in these two countries. When it comes to Europe, the continent is preparing for potential bread shortages. With Russia invading Ukraine, prices of wheat have gone up by a whopping 55 per cent since the war. This bread shortage is not only faced in Egypt and Ukraine, but also in Indonesia. Ukraine was the country’s second-largest wheat supplier, which was used to prepare instant noodles, snacks, bread and fried food.
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Sunflower Oil & Barley Supply Also Affected
And it’s not just wheat, Ukraine and Russia make up nearly a third of the global wheat and barley exports. Ukraine is also a major supplier of sunflower oil and corn. Sunflower oil prices are expected to rise drastically and also end up in shortages. Lower-income groups of people may face financial constraints due to the rising prices of instant noodles and wheat. Millions of people across the world depend on wheat from Ukraine to prepare bread. And this is indeed a matter of concern.
First Published: March 08, 2022 12:35 PM