Food security was ‘deteriorating’ before Ukraine war, but has worsened since: Expert

Food security was ‘deteriorating’ before Ukraine war, but has worsened since: Expert

Food security was already “deteriorating” in many countries before the Ukraine war, but has since worsened, an expert from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) told Al Arabiya English, adding that all countries will eventually feel the impact of higher food prices.

“Food security outcomes in many countries were deteriorating well before the war started, as the COVID-19 pandemic impacted livelihoods, and food prices were already high,” FAO Economist Monika Tothova told Al Arabiya English.

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“However, the war in Ukraine restricted exports, and added additional uncertainty to the markets putting an upward pressure on prices. Shipping costs also increased.”

Ukraine, often referred to as the world’s breadbasket, was invaded by Russia on February 24 in what Moscow calls a “special military operation.”

Since then, countries across the world have imposed tough sanctions on Russia, restrictingglobal trade, as the conflict rages on and heavily disrupts the Ukrainian economy.

The war has fueled a global food crisis, with surging prices for cooking oils, grains, fuel, and fertilizer.

Russia and Ukraine account for nearly a third of global wheat supplies, while Russia is also a key fertilizer exporter and Ukraine a major corn