Impasse over Russian blockade of Ukraine’s grain fuels global food crisis (ABC Radio-Australia)
ABC Radio (Australia) produced a segment on the global food crisis that is looming as Russia continues to block grain from leaving Ukraine, sending food prices soaring. Moscow’s blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports has brought exports to a standstill and Russia is now being accused of war crimes, with many countries facing starvation. Senior research fellow Joseph Glauber was the featured guest. In the interview, Glauber said, “Right now, the war is forcing Ukraine grain and oil to go over land by rail and barge. It can’t get out near the quantity it could be going from the Black Sea region port. It is less expensive to move it out from the Black Sea than traveling over land. It could have long-term effects discouraging farmers to grow.” Glauber explained, “Ukraine and Russia are large exporters, Ukraine accounts for about 6% of agricultural products traded in the world commodities like wheat and maize. While not everyone is affected in the same way for the same reasons, an inability to ship grain means prices rise everywhere.” He added, “Ukraine has about 20 million tons of grain in the country they just can’t export it. What they have remains in storage and is vulnerable to attacks and other sorts of things. As long as there is war going on I don’t see grain getting out of the Black Sea region anytime soon. I find it difficult to believe that there is any hope for safe passage for grain getting out of those ports.”
