Agriculture experts and the United Nations are sounding alarms over the potential for a global food shortage and skyrocketing food prices caused by the chaotic fertilizer market worsened by the war in Ukraine. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the sanctions that followed have significantly increased the price of natural gas — a key ingredient in fertilizer used for farming —
Ukraine and Russia boast some of the most fertile land on Earth. Both are major agricultural producers, particularly of wheat, maize, barley and sunflower oil. Together, they grow about 15% of the world’s wheat, but account for about 30% of global wheat exports; Ukraine alone supplies about 50% of the global market for sunflower oil. In addition, Russia, Ukraine and
It has been 41 days since the Russians launched their invasion of Ukraine, and agriculture executive Alex Lissitsa sighs deeply into the camera of his smartphone. He says that even he doesn’t really know what is left of his company. He is planning on heading out to the fields the next day to take a look, but he has
I morti non eroici per fame Fermate questa guerra. Subito. Fatelo per i bimbi ucraini, certo, ma anche per quelli del Sudan. Che muoiono come le mosche. E per quelli di quasi tutta l’Africa e di mezza Asia, perché le armi uccidono, in modo subdolo, anche a grande distanza. Cominciando sempre dai più deboli, dagli indifesi, dai dimenticati dal Signore.
Ukraine, which had long been called the breadbasket of Europe, became an agricultural powerhouse for the world’s developing countries in recent years with investment in food technology and storage and transport infrastructure. Ukraine’s share in global wheat exports is around 10 per cent, whereas the Russian share is around 18 per cent. Around 26 countries in the world get more
Shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, Russians were seen scrambling for packets of sugar at supermarkets. It was the first sign that Western sanctions meant to punish President Vladimir Putin for the war might actually be having a serious impact. Stores imposed limits on the purchase of some products, and Putin’s government rushed to reassure Russians that they would have enough to
As wheat prices continue to surge amid a deepening conflict in Ukraine, lasting damage threatens an already weakened global food system. Governments must urgently prioritize food security through championing indoor vertical farming as a sustainable, long-term solution, urges AgTech company Light Science Technologies (LST). As grain supplies are impacted, as well as disruption to natural gas and fertilizer markets,
Before Putin’s forces even breached the Ukraine border, fear and speculation drove commodity prices skyward. Concerns are warranted: Trade disruptions in energy, fertilizer and grains are inevitable. In fact, effects are likely to last for years, possibly even decades.