Tag

Global Food Crisis

All articles tagged with #global food crisis

international-relations2 years ago

"Global Pressure Mounts on Russia to Prevent Food Crisis and Resume Ukrainian Grain Shipments"

Russia faced pressure at the UN Security Council to prevent a global food crisis and resume Ukrainian grain shipments. The U.N. and council members criticized Russia for attacking Ukrainian ports and violating international humanitarian law. The U.N. warned of catastrophic consequences if a military incident occurs in the Black Sea. China urged Russia and the U.N. to work together to resume exports from both countries for international food security. The U.S. accused Russia of using the Black Sea as blackmail and called for negotiations to resume. Developing countries expressed concerns about the impact of the grain cutoff on wheat prices and food insecurity. Russia listed conditions for rejoining the grain deal, including the lifting of Western sanctions and the resolution of banking and fertilizer issues. The U.N. condemned Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports and urged restraint to prevent a larger humanitarian crisis. The cutoff of grain shipments has already led to civilian casualties, damage to infrastructure, and a spike in wheat prices.

global-food-security2 years ago

Escalating Russia-Ukraine tensions drive wheat prices to new heights

Wheat prices have risen for a third consecutive day as tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalate, sparking fears of a major global food crisis. Russia's threat to treat ships heading for Ukrainian ports as military cargo carriers has deepened concerns about food security. The rise in wheat prices follows Russia's decision to pull out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a crucial wartime deal that provided a humanitarian corridor for the export of Ukrainian grain. Attacks on grain infrastructure in southern Ukraine have further hindered Ukraine's ability to export agricultural commodities. The termination of the initiative is expected to create a significant food crisis worldwide, particularly affecting low-income countries in Africa and the Middle East.

global-food-security2 years ago

Global Food Security at Risk as Russia Threatens to Withdraw from Ukraine Grain Deal

Concerns are rising that Russia may not extend a United Nations-brokered deal allowing grain exports from Ukraine to countries struggling with hunger, potentially impacting global food security. The deal, which has been renewed three times, has facilitated the shipment of over 32 million metric tons of grain, with more than half going to developing nations. If the deal is not extended, it could cut off a source of aid for countries at risk of famine and compound food security issues in conflict-ridden and economically vulnerable regions. Russia's exit would also require countries to seek alternative sources for imports, potentially affecting global grain prices.

agriculture2 years ago

Uncertainty looms over Black Sea grain corridor deal extension

The deal allowing Ukraine to export grain via the Black Sea is set to expire on July 17, and with Russia showing no intention of extending it, concerns arise about the potential collapse of the agreement. Ukraine is a major producer of grains and oilseeds, and the interruption of its exports during the war led to a surge in global food prices. The current deal has helped stabilize prices and alleviate the global food crisis. If the agreement ends, prices for staple foods may rise, although improved supplies from other producers like Russia and Brazil have mitigated the impact. The World Food Programme (WFP) relies on the Black Sea corridor for aid shipments, and its closure would force the WFP to seek alternative sources at potentially higher costs. Additionally, Ukraine's grain exports are expected to decline due to reduced harvests, and exporting through the EU poses logistical challenges.

international-relations2 years ago

EU Considers Reconnecting Sanctioned Russian Bank to Preserve Grain Supply

The EU is seeking to reconnect a sanctioned Russian bank to the global financial system in order to address the worsening global food crisis. The move is aimed at securing Russian President Vladimir Putin's support to extend the Black Sea grain deal, which expires soon. The deal allowed Ukraine to export its food products from its ports during a blockade by Russia. The proposal would allow the state-owned Russian Agricultural Bank to handle payments related to grain exports and use the SWIFT messaging system. This concession is seen as the "least worst option" to secure Putin's support for the extension of the grain deal. The international community faces challenges in dealing with the sanctions imposed on Russia, and the potential reconnection of the Russian bank to SWIFT highlights these difficulties.

international-relations2 years ago

EU Considers Reconnecting Sanctioned Russian Bank to Secure Grain Supply

The European Union (EU) is seeking to reconnect a sanctioned Russian bank to the global financial system in order to address the worsening global food crisis. The move is aimed at securing Russian President Vladimir Putin's support to extend the Black Sea grain deal, which expires soon. The deal allowed Ukraine to export its food products from its ports during a blockade by Russia. The proposal would allow the state-owned Russian Agricultural Bank to handle payments related to grain exports and use the SWIFT messaging system. This concession is seen as the "least worst option" to secure Putin's support for the extension of the grain deal. The international community faces challenges in dealing with the sanctions imposed on Russia, and the potential reconnection of the Russian bank to SWIFT highlights these difficulties.

agriculture2 years ago

Global Food Crisis Averted as Ukraine Grain Deal Extended

The Black Sea grain deal, which enables the safe passage of ships from Ukraine and has been crucial in stabilizing global food prices, has been extended for two months after urgent talks in Istanbul. The deal was initially brokered in July 2022 to avert a global food crisis following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The deal has been renewed for a third time after Russia threatened to quit the pact and cited a list of demands. The deal's survival rests in Russia's hands, and the Kremlin has warned it would scrap the deal if the Group of Seven nations imposed further bans on exports to Russia as part of sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.

world2 years ago

Global food crisis eased as Ukraine grain deal extended with Russia and Turkey.

The United Nations-backed Black Sea Grain Initiative, aimed at easing global hunger, has been extended for two months, allowing Ukrainian grain exports to ship through the Black Sea to parts of the world struggling with hunger. The deal was extended despite Russia's threats to pull out of the deal, citing complaints that it fails to deliver on a promise to free up Russian agricultural exports that Moscow says have been blocked by Western sanctions. The initiative has enabled the shipment of more than 30 million metric tons of grain and other foodstuff, much of it to poor and developing countries.

agriculture2 years ago

Uncertainty looms over Black Sea grain deal extension between Ukraine and Russia.

Negotiators have 24 hours to save a grain deal between Ukraine and Russia that has enabled Ukraine to export millions of tons of grain and help ease a global food crisis despite the war it is fighting with Russia. The deal has been extended twice already, but Russia has threatened to pull out of the arrangement by May 18 unless a list of its demands are met. The United Nations' World Food Programme has said that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has contributed to "acute food insecurity" for over a quarter of a billion people globally.

business2 years ago

Turkey Close to Extending Black Sea Grain Deal.

Parties to the Black Sea grain pact, including Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, and the United Nations, are nearing a deal to extend the agreement after talks in Istanbul. The pact was brokered last year to help tackle a global food crisis, but Russia threatened to quit the agreement on May 18 over obstacles to its grain and fertilizer exports. The U.N. proposed an extension, and an agreement is now approaching.

world-news2 years ago

Ukraine seeks extension of Black Sea grain deal with Russia and Turkey.

The head of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, has warned that it will be difficult to feed the world if Russia pulls out of the Ukraine grain deal, which is due to expire on 18 May. The export agreement has allowed Ukraine to transport millions of tonnes of food despite the ongoing conflict. Ukraine is a major global exporter of sunflower, maize, wheat and barley, and more than half of the wheat grain procured by the WFP last year came from there. Russia has issued a list of demands regarding its own agricultural exports that it wants met before it agrees to an extension, including restarting a pipeline that delivers Russian ammonia to a Ukrainian Black Sea port, which the UN has been pushing for.