The current food crisis many countries are facing due to the Russian war in Ukraine could turn into a veritable “catastrophe” next year. The United Nations calls on governments to prevent this in a second crisis report.
“This year's food crisis is due to a lack of market access. Next year, that could be due to lack of food," UN Secretary-General António Guterres said.
The report on the Russian war underlines that the world is facing the worst “cost of living crisis” in a single generation, with food prices at historically high levels, fertilizer costs almost double and oil and gas prices extremely high.
“Vulnerable people and countries are already being hit hard, but make no mistake: no one, in any country, will be spared this cost of living crisis,” Guterres insisted.
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the UN has repeatedly warned that the conflict would exacerbate a pre-existing hunger problem, due to its effects and the economic situation in many countries.
So far, the difficulties are mainly related to transport problems for the export of grains and fertilizers from Ukraine and Russia. These are especially crucial for countries in the Middle East and Africa.
Looking ahead to next year, however, the UN fears that price increases – especially of fertilizers – could lead to a shortage of food.
If the war continues and high prices last until the next planting season, the current crisis could spread to other staple foods such as rice and affect billions of people, UNCTAD fears.