Posted on 02/26/2022 11:06:00 AM PST by delta7
Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine will, of course, have consequences well beyond the borders of Ukraine or Russia. While it's very early in this terrifying moment, some have argued that Putin’s war will fundamentally alter – and not in any good way – the post-World war 2 architecture. “The law of the jungle has returned.”
The conflict, which is likely to be prolonged, will also impact energy prices and its access across the world; has already shaken global financial markets; is likely to push inflation higher up; worsen supply chain problems.
It could also impact a basic human need – food. Large parts of the world are suffering from severe food insecurity that was getting worse even before Putin’s invasion.
A combination of factors like climate change, rising prices, conflict and impacts of COVID-19 has led to a situation where 1 in 10 people are forced to sleep hungry.
The war will, in all likelihood, make the situation worse. “We now have 283 million people marching towards starvation with 45 million knocking on famine’s door. The world cannot afford another conflict,” the United Nations’ World Food Programme said.
Russia and Ukraine are among the world’s most important sources of grain and agricultural produce. Together, they account for about 80% of the world’s sunflower oil production, 25% of the world’s wheat production and 20% of the corn trade.
In fact, Ukraine has been known as the “breadbasket of Europe” for a while. It is among the most fertile regions of the world. It is the country’s wheat produce that is vital for many parts of the world.
Ukraine’s wheat exports have been growing in the last few years. It exports about 70% of its total wheat production. Some of the importers are countries that have very precarious levels of food security.
Lebanon, which is in the grips of a deep economic crisis, imports 50% of the wheat it consumes from Ukraine, war-torn Libya imports 43% of its consumptions and Bangladesh imports 21%.
Yemen, where 16 million people are already food insecure, imports 22% of its total wheat consumption from Ukraine.
Countries in the northern African region are also heavily dependent on wheat imports from Ukraine and Russia. Egypt, for instance, depends on Russia and Ukraine for 85% of its wheat consumption.
The war is almost certain to impact Ukraine’s wheat production as Alex Smith, a food and agriculture analyst at the Breakthrough Institute, explained in this prescient piece a month ago.
“Should a possible attack on Ukraine turn into a Russian land grab from where Russian-supported separatists have already established their so-called republics, it could mean sharp declines in wheat production and a precipitous fall in wheat exports as farmers flee the fighting, infrastructure and equipment are destroyed, and the region’s economy is paralyzed. Whoever controls the land will ultimately extract its riches, but if conditions in the Russian-controlled eastern parts of Ukraine are any guide, instability and paralysis may lie over the region and seriously impact production far beyond the initial invasion,” he wrote.
Oh, by the way, Martin Armstrong predicted much of this- credit to him for forecasting this entire mess…prepare accordingly.
Fixed it for ya. Putin is a rarity in today's world. He doesn't "circle back" but rather says what he will do and does it.
Wheat, now $9.25 a bushel, and climbing…..
Exactly the edit I was about to make.
Well said. If like his Georgia military “ invasion” a few years back, the opposition was brought to the negotiating table, and he withdrew his troops.
Do remember, Slow Joe failed to enter talks with Vlad over the Ukrainian problem in December, want to bet Senile Joe is going to finally negotiate with Vlad in a few months? Keep in mind, Nobama handed over Crimea to Vlad, Trump simply told Vlad Ukraine will NOT be admitted to NATO, end of dispute. Senile Joe should have listened to Vlad’s concerns ( and Trumps advice), it is called diplomacy. Biden is an idiot.
Wow, a bushel of corn now $6.91 a bushel. Thanks Joe.
Pretty soon I guess ALL the kids will be seeing this
https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7UB_/feeding-america-apples-and-bananas-featuring-scarlett-johansson
The elites will find a way to exploit the situation to their advantage.
They always do.
Its their system now. They all make money off of it one way or another.
If the world supply of borscht dries up, we can always tap our strategic reserves.
How many tens-of-millions of bushels of corn are going into worthless, harmful Ethanol, instead of to the world market?
"The crisis in Ukraine is increasing volatility in agricultural markets, with Paris wheat futures hitting a record high on Thursday. Farmers are also worried the crisis could exacerbate supply tensions in fertilisers and disrupt the spring growing season for crops."
This isn’t about Brandon or Nuland and her cookies. Putin promised to wipe Ukraine off the earth many times. Naturally, the Ukrainians, as any nation would, took umbrage. Now lots of Russian boys are going home in bags. This do not have to happen.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.