15 Mar 2022

Russia's illegal war worsens food insecurity in the region

From Midday Report, 12:40 pm on 15 March 2022

As Russia's war in Ukraine continues to disrupt trade, commodity prices are spiking - notably for fossil fuels and grains.

The UN says Russia is the world's largest wheat exporter; Ukraine is the fifth largest.

Wheat is a food staple for more than 35 percent of the world's population.

And about 50 mostly low-income countries in Northern Africa, Asia and the Near East depend on Russia and Ukraine for more than a third of their wheat supply.

University of Otago senior lecturer Dr Murat Ungor, who focuses on international macroeconomics and trade, spoke to Worldwatch's Max Towle about how the war was exacerbating food shortages and inflation.