Food prices have drastically risen in the UK and Europe, sparking fears of potential food shortages and concerns that more people will be struggling to access sufficient nutrition. In March, the UK Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 7%from the previous March, representing a 30-year high. New research has revealed that the prices of some groceries have risen by more than 20%, with many staples showing double digit percentage increases. Ukraine is considered to be a key exporter of food products and has often been described as the “breadbasket of Europe.” Since war broke out in Ukraine, farmers have been forced to reduce crop production, which has negatively impacted food prices across Europe and may potentially impact food availability.
Fears Are Rising
Ukraine is known for its fertile farmland, and is an important exporter of food staples such as barley, wheat, maize, and sunflower, particularly to north Africa. However, since the war, farmers have faced a lack of fertilizer, difficulties in accessing enough fuel for farm equipment, and the closure of ports in addition to the disruption of military activity. These factors have resulted in around one-third of agricultural land usually dedicated to growing spring crops being left unplanted this year. In addition, one-third of this year’s wheat harvest is expected to be lost.
There are reports that wheat in storage is being exported via Poland and Romania, although this is just a fraction of what would usually leave the country. Other usual export routes are being restricted by lack of adequate facilities, preventing the transportation of food products. Experts predict that issues with food export will likely continue for months after the war ends, meaning that the resultant food crisis may continue for years, and may require assistance from government agencies.
UK Families Struggling to Afford the Basics
The UK's catastrophic cost of living crisis has resulted in two million adults being unable to afford to eat every day. This figure has increased by 57% in the last three months.
7.3 million adults and 2.6 million children are affected by food insecurity. In the past month, two million adults have skipped meals for an entire day because of recent increases to the cost of food, brought on, in part, by the war in Ukraine. In addition, one in seven adults live in households where people have been forced to eat smaller portions, skip meals entirely, or not eat all day because they cannot afford food.
Could the Food Crisis Cause More Deaths than the War?
The global food shortages caused by Russia’s invasion could “cause more deaths than the war itself”, according to UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. The UN has warned that the food crisis sparked by the war could last years. To provide aid to those who need it, the World Bank has pledged $12 billion to reduce the impact of the food crisis. However, it is likely that more involvement from global agencies will be needed to prevent a rise in the numbers of those going hungry around the world.
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