Russian invasion of Ukraine affects global economy, food availability, and food inflation.
By Andrew Joseph, Farms.com; Image by Mylene2401 from Pixabay
With summer here, and school almost done, we Canadians can look forward to a little bit of leisure time.
Whether it’s going for walks or tending the garden, going to the cottage, or simply staying at home watching the kids play soccer, baseball, lacross—whatever, it’s relaxing.
In the Ukraine, families like going for walks and having the kids climb over things, such as exploded Russian tanks.
Kyiv authorities in the capital of Ukraine have parked an assortment of blitzed Russian military objects d’art as a way to kindle the populace’s determination showing the country’s victories over the Russian Federation invaders.
Out in the more rural areas, such as Irpin, north of Kyiv, families pose for selfies and family shots as the children walk atop the exploded remains of Russian tanks—perhaps taken out via a long-range Howitzer pumping out 152mm shells.
Just another summer day in Ukraine in 2022.
It’s a stark contrast between our two countries this year.
At this time, Ukraine farmers are also in the process of harvesting a wheat crop grown under the blue skies matching those in its national flag, while under the threat of enemy shelling.
Ukrainian farmers are reaping what has been in the past the fourth-largest such harvest in the world, knowing that there is a blockade at its Black Sea ports by the Russians.
Farmers in Ukraine’s ag sector have already risked life and limb to grow crops even as Russian shelling was going on around them. As well, there was always the chance of a field being inundated by mines.
Economically, harvesting the grain will do little for the country which makes much of its income from international exports—though perhaps the grain can be used on the home front to feed its citizens.
To make matters worse, Ukrainian silos—those that have not yet been targeted by the Russian military—remain filled with grain from last year’s harvest.
With the ports blocked stopping exports, Ukraine’s inability to get its crop to international customers is playing a large role in near-term global famine in less-sufficient countries, not to mention its own.
Wheat prices around the world are expected to skyrocket this year to be another contributor to global inflation, as well as food sufficiency and food affordability concerns.
With the invasion now nearing its sixth month, about the only thing that is still cheap, is talk. Even with an end to the Ukraine situation, the ramifications from it will be felt for years to come, socially, politically, economically, and unfortunately, emotionally.