Food crisis looms as landmines litter Ukraine farmer’s fields

The Times, May 2, 2022

Event

Ukraine, one of the most fertile and productive countries in the world, has been known historically as the “bread basket of Europe”. Now it is facing a complex and unprecedented agricultural crisis, in which landmines are only one of numerous interlinked problems. The United Nations estimates this year’s harvest will be 20 per cent lower than normal; others predict the reduction will be as much as 30 per cent. Not only will this have a serious effect on the ability of Ukraine to feed itself — but also on people across the world, who depend, without even being aware of it, on Ukrainian wheat, Ukrainian corn, and Ukrainian sunflower seeds go into the flour, bread and cooking oil that feed people across the world. World food prices were rising anyway, and the invasion has accelerated this. The global food price index issued by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation recently made its biggest jump since it was established in 1990, thanks to all-time record prices for vegetable oils, cereals and meat.

Comment

The impact on food availability and food prices due to the war in Ukraine cannot be underestimated. Middle East and African nations rely heavily on Ukraine for wheat and corn. 60% of Lebanon’s wheat supply just prior to the war was being shipped in from Ukraine. Lebanon has only one month of wheat reserves remaining. Egypt (with over 100 million people to feed) is the world’s largest importer of wheat. 85% of all Egypt’s wheat come from just 2 places – Ukraine and Russia – who are both at war. The Arab Spring (a series of of anti government protests) which began in 2010 is put down to unrest caused by food shortages and increasing food prices. It resulted in regime changes in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. Jesus says there will be famine (food shortage)…

Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:  And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:10-11)

Events in Ukraine could cause a manmade famine. The word famine means “scarcity of harvest” which is happening in Ukraine…

Andy Walton,

Weekly World Watch > Download this week’s WWW

 

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Additional reading

1. Some highlights of the invasion of Ukraine March 9-16
2. Ukraine from 2022 March 16-20
3. Grain shortages affect international markets
4. Mix of strong demand and limited supply igniting inflation
5. Northern Hemisphere time of Spring & War in Ukraine
6. Composted reads for the 3rd week of May 2022

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