The UN says, the conflict in Ukraine may force 47 million people into severe food poverty

• The crisis in Ukraine may raise the number of “acute food insecure individuals” throughout the world by 47 million this year.
• The conflict has interrupted crucial agricultural output and exports, as well as raised energy prices.
• Africa and the Middle East rely heavily on wheat shipments from Ukraine and Russia.

UN forecasts: the crisis in Ukraine may raise the number of “acute food insecure individuals”; throughout the world by 47 million this year; to a total of 323 million. According to a joint assessment from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), the conflict has interrupted crucial agricultural output and exports, as well as raised energy prices; all of which have an influence on food supply and pricing.

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FAO price index shows, food prices have climbed by 17% since January. Cereal prices have increased by more than 21%. This would be on top of the 276 million people who, according to the World Food Programme, were already suffering from severe hunger before to the conflict. According to the research, the highest increases are projected to occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. Ukraine and Russia provide a significant percentage of the global agricultural supply. FAO says, Ukraine and Russia supplied more than half of the world’s supply of sunflower seed; which is used to make cooking oil.

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In the five years leading up to the conflict, the two nations produced 19 percent of the world’s barley, 14 percent of wheat, and 4% of the world’s maize. Africa and the Middle East rely heavily on wheat shipments from Ukraine and Russia.

“In March 2022, about half of the winter wheat plantings and about 40% of the rye plantings for the 2022 harvest were in occupied or war-affected territories. While the regions hit by direct combat have relocated; there is still doubt regarding the extent of the damage, losses, and harvestable land. According to the report, “between 20 and 30 percent of these areas may remain unharvested in 2022.”

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