Russia's War on Ukraine Threatens Global Food Security

Russia's ongoing war on Ukraine is not just a military conflict, but also an assault on global food security. The country is systematically strangling Ukraine's agricultural exports by targeting shipping, ports, and warehouses across the Black Sea, Danube River, and overland corridors.

This crisis has been engineered for maximum damage, with missile and drone strikes trapping grain inside Ukraine, cutting exports in half. Over 9 million tonnes of grain could rot by November due to destroyed storage, triggering agricultural shortages and driving up global prices well into 2027.

The impact is being felt globally, with an estimated 645 million people facing hunger. Ukraine supplies 15% of global corn exports, 10% of wheat, and 50% of sunflower oil, making it a vital supplier to regions such as North Africa and the Middle East.

The European Union (EU) is working to mitigate the impact by opening alternative land routes for Ukrainian grain to reach global markets. However, an immediate arrangement is required to allow safe passage of vessels in the Black Sea, which handles 90% of Ukraine's agricultural trade.