Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Ukraine attack sparks fear of global food shortage

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 07 Mar, 2022 05:28 PM
  • Ukraine attack sparks fear of global food shortage

OTTAWA - Russia's invasion of Ukraine has sparked major disruptions to a United Nations program that helps prevent hunger around the world, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau warned Monday during a trip to Europe aimed at working with allies to respond to the crisis.

"The challenge right now of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, is having ripple effects around the world, not just in energy prices for Canadians and for people in Europe, but for people in the global South as well," Trudeau said Monday in London, adding that those include disruption to the UN World Food Program.

Ukraine is one of the world's major wheat exporters and since Russia's attack, global wheat prices have risen to levels not seen since 2008.

Sandra McCardell, an assistant deputy minister at Global Affairs Canada, told a Senate committee last week that there will be “a wide range of fallout” from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including food shortages in developing nations that import large amounts of Ukrainian wheat.

“We certainly are looking at contingencies. UN agencies are looking at contingencies,” she told the Senate foreign affairs committee on March 3. “This is not going to be just about Ukraine and Russia and we do need absolutely to be ready.”

Sen. Peter Harder, deputy chair of the committee, said in an interview that the reverberations of the Russian invasion would be felt worldwide.

In many countries, bread is a staple food and large numbers of countries in Asia and the Middle East import wheat from Russia and Ukraine. He said Lebanon imports 50 per cent of its wheat from Ukraine, Libya 43 per cent, Yemen 22 per cent and Bangladesh 21 per cent.

Ukraine's planting season is due to start within the month. Some rely on foreign labour, which is fleeing or will not enter the country.

Canadian wheat producers warned that the Russian invasion will make it extremely difficult for Ukrainian farmers to get their seeds in the ground.

Dave Quist, executive director of the Western Canadian Wheat Growers, said Ukrainian farmers were "very concerned about not being able to get into the field at all."

He said it is doubtful whether those that manage to plant their fields will be able to harvest in August or September.

Russia and Ukraine together export more than a quarter of global wheat supplies and the conflict has already led to a spike in wheat prices.

U.S. wheat futures rose to a 14-year high last week, with importers desperate to find supplies to fill the gap from Ukraine.

"We are already seeing wheat prices going through the roof with the potential to go up higher," Quist said.

"If there is an overall shortage, then that will mean there is more demand in other parts of the world."

Canada is a big exporter of wheat, along with the U.S., and farmers may benefit from the rising price of wheat. But most Canadian farmers have already bought the seed to plant this year's crop and would find it difficult to pivot to plant more wheat if they have not prepared to do so, Quist said. Some pre-sold their crops at lower prices before the invasion, he said.

Quist said Argentina and Australia, which plant later in the year than Canada and the U.S., may have time to plant more wheat this year to cater to global demand.

With sanctions biting and the global community freezing out the regime of President Vladimir Putin, Russia’s wheat exports are likely to be disrupted as well.

Ukraine is facing its own food shortages, with the closure of shops, men called up to fight and its usual supply lines blocked by the Russian military.

NDP finance critic Daniel Blaikie said at a press conference on Friday that as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, “there are likely to be serious economic consequences felt across the world.”

Even though Canada exports wheat, the drop in global supplies is likely to mean a rise in the cost of a loaf of bread in Canada.

NDP MP Rachel Blaney said what was happening in Ukraine could make existing inequalities in Canada “more profound.”

She said Canadians were already struggling to afford groceries, with more and more people, including those with jobs, turning to food banks.

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. to lift most COVID restrictions, but masks, vaccine rules remain

B.C. to lift most COVID restrictions, but masks, vaccine rules remain
People will be allowed to dance and mingle in public spaces starting at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday but masks and the COVID-19 vaccine card will still be required at organized gatherings like weddings and sports tournaments.    

B.C. to lift most COVID restrictions, but masks, vaccine rules remain

Pair arrested for stealing gas

Pair arrested for stealing gas
The female suspect, a 29-year-old from Surrey, was released at the scene pending further investigation. The male, a 44-year-old from Langley, was found to be breaching his curfew conditions and was held in custody.

Pair arrested for stealing gas

Feds drop mandatory PCR test for travel

Feds drop mandatory PCR test for travel
Travellers can instead opt for a rapid antigen test approved by the country in which it is purchased. However, Minister Jean-Yves Duclos said rapid tests will have to be administered by a laboratory or health care entity.

Feds drop mandatory PCR test for travel

Boys identified in Vancouver's oldest cold case

Boys identified in Vancouver's oldest cold case
Police say David and Derek D'Alton were six and seven when they were bludgeoned with a hatchet and left in Vancouver's Stanley Park in a case known as the "Babes in the Woods."

Boys identified in Vancouver's oldest cold case

Woman groped in Lynn Canyon Park

Woman groped in Lynn Canyon Park
The woman was exiting the Varley Loop Trail and crossing the foot bridge to Rice Lake Road at approximately 1:30 p.m. on February 13th when the suspect grabbed her buttocks from behind. The suspect is described as a Black or a South Asian male.    

Woman groped in Lynn Canyon Park

Order invoking Emergencies Act is now public

Order invoking Emergencies Act is now public
The order is now public on the government website but it took effect Monday when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the plan at a news conference from Parliament Hill.

Order invoking Emergencies Act is now public