UN secretary general: 36 countries depend on Russia and Ukraine for more than half of their wheat imports

YEREVAN, April 14, /ARKA/. “As many as 1.7 billion people — one third of whom are already living in poverty — are now highly exposed to disruptions in food, energy and finance systems that are triggering increases in poverty and hunger,” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told reporters on Wednesday, according to TASS.

He said 36 countries, including some of the world’s poorest, depend on Russia and Ukraine for more than half of their wheat imports.

He said the prices were already on the rise, and the Ukraine crisis has made a bad situation far worse. He noted that wheat and maize prices have risen 30% just since January. The Ukraine crisis has also led to a rapid doubling of oil and gas prices. Russia is also the world’s top fertilizer producer. Prices have also doubled for that critical input, which means crop yields could dramatically decrease.

“As prices climb, so does hunger and malnutrition – especially for young children,” Guterres said.

He said in light of the soaring cost of food, fuel and other commodities, all countries are urged to keep their markets open, resist hoarding and unnecessary export restrictions, and make reserves available to countries at the highest risk of hunger and famine.

“This global and systemic emergency requires global and systemic solutions,” he said.