The New Food Crisis Looming

Is this an Emergency Management Issue?

The COVID Pandemic started in October of 2019 in an obscure province in China. By December, China was forecasting the problem that the rest world would be facing just a few months later. See the full article here

The New Food Crisis Looming

U.N. warns that the world is cusp of a food shortage this week. Historically Ukraine has been the breadbasket of Europe. At least 5 million people died from starvation in the Soviet Union between 1931 and 1934. Does emergency management have a role in these types of crises?.

Before Russia invaded the country, Ukraine was one of the primary providers of several staple crops to world markets. Agricultural products were Ukraine’s primary source of export revenue. But the war and blockades of Ukrainian port cities have halted global supply chains.

Several countries in North and East Africa and the Middle East were poised to face ‘tremendous food security issues’ soon due to the Ukraine war. The Ukraine–Russia region is responsible for roughly 30 percent of global exports of wheat and 65 percent of sunflower.

Price Increases

The price of commodities will increase and affect an even broader range of the population. The impact of what’s happening in Ukraine and Russia will be felt across many countries. The U.S. may not see empty shelves; however, we will see an increase in the use of food banks.

Cost of food eaten at home jumped 10% over the year ending in March. Meat soared 14.8%, while milk increased 13.3%. Eggs rose 11.2%, while fresh fruits became 10.1% more expensive.

25 million tons of grain are stuck in Ukraine, and the UN says it doesn’t know when it can be accessed.

Subscribe to The Emergency Management Network
This newsletter features strategies and advice from today’s frontrunners and experts in emergency management. Its purpose is to empower and enrich current and future leaders.