Russia-Ukraine Crisis Highlights Africa’s Need To Diversify Its Wheat Sources
The war between Russia and Ukraine has highlighted how much of the world’s wheat supply relies on these two countries. For instance, a recently released UN report shows a sample of 25 African countries that rely on wheat imports from Russia or Ukraine. Of this group, 21 import most of their wheat from Russia.
Between 2018 and 2020, Africa imported US$3.7 billion in wheat (32% of the continent’s total wheat imports) from Russia and another US$1.4 billion from Ukraine (12% of the continent’s wheat imports).
Ukraine War Makes the Case for Renewable, Decentralized Energy
As Putin's war of choice against Ukraine tears that nation apart, his army is in the process of seizing a second nuclear power generating station, which will allow him to cut off power—and thus communications, heat, and water—to large chunks of that nation.
If most households in Ukraine had solar panels on their roofs and battery storage in their basements—as two states in Germany and the US State of California are now requiring for all new construction—blowing up or seizing a central power station would have far less ability to brown out large parts of the country.
Russia’s Nuclear Power Exports: Will they Stand the Strain Of The War In Ukraine?
Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine has led to massive sanctions and resulted in heavy blows to its economy. It has also led to unprecedented condemnation of Russia’s leadership, as well as growing international isolation.
Regardless of the military outcome of the invasion, its aftermath will severely shake Russian diplomatic, trade and business initiatives with potential global partners.
How Russia-Ukraine Conflict Could Influence Africa’s Food Supplies
Wheat and other grains are back at the heart of geopolitics following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Both countries play a major role in the global agricultural market. African leaders must pay attention.
There is significant agricultural trade between countries on the continent and Russia and Ukraine. African countries imported agricultural products worth US$4 billion from Russia in 2020.
Disruption in trade, because of the invasion, in the significant producing region of the Black Sea would add to elevated global agricultural commodity prices – with potential knock on effects for global food prices.