Going Against the Grain

The fertile soil of Ukraine has made the country a major exporter of wheat, barley, sunflower seeds and maize. At least one third of Ukraine's normal wheat harvest, from seed planted in Autumn 2021, is now likely to be lost due to war. This February, global cereal prices rose to all time highs (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/02/global-food-price-fears-as-ukraine-farmers-forced-to-reduce-crop-planting). Military activity is never conducive to farming. The war in Ukraine has had impacts on the availability of fertilisers and fuel for operating tractors. The war has also resulted in the closure of ports used to export grains. Much of Ukraine's agricultural produce formerly went to North Africa. The increase in global cereal prices, are going to especially impact on poorer countries/people. Less grain means consistently higher prices and local scarcities. It has been suggested it could be 'several months, after the cessation of the war, before (Ukraine) crop levels return to normal'. This seems unduly optimistic! Unfortunately, everyone is going to have to pay more for their daily bread.