Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Western countries led by the United States have increased sanctions at various levels, and regional changes in the situation and restrictions on exports to Russia have caused anxiety about global food shortages, and food prices have continued to rise in various places.
According to the information released on the website of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Russia and Ukraine are the world's largest and fifth largest wheat exporters respectively, and 19% of the world's barley, 14% of wheat and 4% of corn are produced in these two countries.
Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, said that about 50 countries and regions in the world are highly dependent on the supply of wheat from Russia and Ukraine, including some least developed or low-income countries in Africa and Asia.
Some European and Central Asian countries rely on Russia for more than 50 percent of their fertilizer supply, and shortages could extend into next year.
French President Emmanuel Macron said at a news conference on March 24 after attending two NATO and G7 summits in Brussels, Belgium.
If the conflict continues, it will lead to "inevitable famine" in the next 12 to 18 months.
(produced by Xu Miaoqiao)
Responsible editor: [Cheng Chunyu]