Russia and Ukraine are among the world鈥檚 top wheat exporters. With one ravaged by war and the other shackled by sanctions, there are fears the conflict will have a large impact on global food supply.
鈥淧eople will fight for whatever鈥檚 left,鈥� Dalhousie University food security expert Sylvain Charlebois told 麻豆影视. 鈥淚n some parts of the world, you鈥檙e likely going to see some civil unrest.鈥�
Shortages are expected across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia in countries that depend on imports. Lebanon鈥檚 economy minister for example says they have enough wheat for a month-and-a-half.
To address the issue, G7 agriculture ministers met today in Germany, where they were updated by Ukrainian officials.
鈥淲e were shocked to learn that agricultural infrastructure has been targeted,鈥� Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau said.
That includes infrastructure to harvest, store and ship wheat. To protect their supply of vital staples, Ukraine this week banned many agricultural exports, wheat included.
At the emergency G7 meeting there were promises to get wheat to countries that need it, but few specifics. Manitoba farmer Curtis McRae says his industry will do its best to answer the call.
鈥淢y whole career, we鈥檝e basically been trying to feed the world,鈥� he told 麻豆影视. 鈥淪o, the trick is, just grow lots of whatever we grow and hopefully that can help sustain the world.鈥�
The shortage is meanwhile driving up wheat prices, exacerbating pandemic-related inflation and making food basics like bread cost even more.
鈥淩ight now, I don鈥檛 see how the rest of the world can cover the losses,鈥� Charlebois from Dalhousie University said.
With files from the Associated Press
