The War in Ukraine and Implications for Global Food Security

The Russian attack on Ukraine is devastating Ukrainian lives and destroying many of its cities and towns. The impact of the war and subsequent sanctions on global energy supplies are widely discussed. But in addition to energy, the war in Ukraine also presents a significant threat to global food security. Both Russia and Ukraine are among the major global agricultural producers, accounting for about 12 percent of the calories the world trades, according to some studies. Together the two countries account for more than 30 percent of the global wheat market, but also for large amounts of global corn, barley, and sunflower oil production. The risks for global food security stem from the immediate dangers to Ukraine’s ability to export its production, the potential for Russian countersanctions, and in the medium-term Ukraine’s ability to plant and harvest this year’s crop. What are thus the consequences for global food security? Which countries and regions are most in danger? And what can be done to avert the worst?



If you have any questions, please contact William Stewart-Wood at [email protected].