Spike in global food prices direct consequence of Russia’s war in Ukraine – NATO chief

Photo Credit: BBC

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has said that the spike in global food prices is “a direct consequence” of Russia’s war in Ukraine – as opposed to Moscow’s claim that spikes were the consequence of sanctions on Russia.

"Export of food and grain from Ukraine is extremely critical," Jens Stoltenberg tells reporters in Brussels, according to the BBC. "The spike in food and grain prices shows global ramifications of this war."

"Russia tries to create narrative that spike in grain prices is caused by our sanctions - that's not correct."

The secretary-general said that International efforts aimed at ending Russia blockade of the Black Sea ports to allow the export of Ukrainian grain was on ongoing.

He adds: "There are some efforts to get some grain out over land - Nato countries are involved in that".

The UN Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet warned earlier this week that a sharp increase in global food insecurity due to the war in Ukraine was imminent.

Meanwhile Russian forces occupying Melitopol, in southern Ukraine are looting the cherry and sunflower seed harvests; the BBC quoted a local mayor to have alleged.

Ivan Fedorov accuses Russian troops of effectively looting two local cherry companies "removing 100% of the harvest and installing their own management there,” according to the BBC.

He added that the Russians were paying paltry amounts to small farmers for their cherry harvests, the BBC cited comments reported by the Kyiv-based Unian news agency.

Fedorov also claimed the sunflower harvest was being exported to Crimea by lorry and train.

He said Russians began to remove the sunflower seeds "maximally", from both farmers and elevators [storage containers for grain], earlier this week, according to the BBC.

Ukraine, a major grain exporter has been unable to export its grain to the rest of the world due to Russia’s blockade of the important port city of Mariupol. Ukraine is a major exporter of corn, wheat and sunflower seeds with about 20 million tonnes of harvested grain waiting to be sent out of the country, according to the BBC.

Most countries such as Ethiopia, Yemen, Afghanistan, India and a handful of other countries depend heavily on grains from Ukraine but Russia’s blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea port has made export of this important commodity impossible.