The experts warn us that it is highly likely that a worldwide food crisis is on its way.
War among the wheatfields The current war in Europe affects two of the most important wheat-producing countries in the world: Russia, which is in fourth place, and Ukraine in seventh place, if you count the EU as a single producer. Between the sanctions of the former and the invasion of the latter, importing cereal from either Eastern European country is an impossibility for the time being.
Less exports, more local The New York Times and other news sources have reported that the Indian government has decided to ban wheat exports to cover local needs and slow down food prices. This is to the detriment of European and American markets.
Reasons of force manure Russia, facing heavy sanctions due to the war, makes up 20% of nitrogen-based fertilizer and, with fellow sanctioned Ukraine, 40% of the world's potash production. Nitrogen and potash are, along with phosphorus, part of the “fertilizer trifecta” of modern agriculture around the globe.
Unavoidable crisis “I’m not sure it’s possible any more to avoid a food crisis,” says World Farmers’ Organization President Theo de Jager to National Geographic. “The question is how wide and deep it will be. Most importantly, farmers need peace. And peace needs farmers.”
The cost of globalization One of the tenets of economic globalization was relocate wherever it was cheaper to produce. This allowed Russia and Belarus to virtually corner the market of fertilizer production. Now American farmers are paying the price, not knowing how to fertilize their fields.
No sunflower oil Prices might hike in developed countries, but some shortages are starting to be seen as well. One New York Times article from May 5, 2022, was titled “Sunflower Oil ‘Vanishes’ as Ukraine War Grinds On”.
No baby formula Another thing that has been missing from the shelves in the United States? Baby formula. Something that seemed unthinkable a few years ago. The world's largest and most developed economies now appear no different than thid-world countries. Where is this going to lead?
The domino effect What is true is that in a world as interconnected as we live in, the catastrophic effects of war or climate change cannot be missed.