There are concerns of a further spike in the cost of living after Russia pulled out of of a UN-brokered grain export deal.
The deal had seen more than nine million tons exported from Ukraine and brought down global food prices. Though a long way away, the issues around grain can have a direct impact on food prices in Wales. According to the European Commission, Ukraine accounts for 10% of the world wheat market, 15% of the corn market, and 13% of the barley market. With more than 50% of world trade, it is also the main player on the sunflower oil market.
The ministry cited an alleged Ukrainian drone attack against Russia's Black Sea Fleet ships moored off the coast of occupied Crimea, which Russia says took place early on Saturday, as the reason for the move though Ukraine has denied the attack.
“Any act by Russia to disrupt these critical grain exports is essentially a statement that people and families around the world should pay more for food or go hungry,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement late Saturday. “In suspending this arrangement, Russia is again weaponising food in the war it started.”
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Moscow has been “deliberately aggravating” the food crisis since September adding that there is an "absolutely transparent intention of Russia to return the threat of large-scale famine to Africa and Asia.".
The Ukrainian president labeled the Russian suspection of the deal “predictable” and said Moscow had been “blockading” ships carrying grain since September with 176 vessels were currently backed up at sea, carrying more than 2m tonnes of food.
The Russian declaration came one day after UN chief Antonio Guterres urged Russia and Ukraine to renew the deal.
Mr Guterres also urged other countries, mainly in the West, to expedite the removal of obstacles blocking Russian grain and fertiliser exports.
The UN chief underlined the urgency of renewing the deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July, which expires on November 19, "to contribute to food security across the world, and to cushion the suffering that this global cost-of-living crisis is inflicting on billions of people", his spokesman said. He added that UN officials were in touch with Russian authorities over the announced suspension.
"It is vital that all parties refrain from any action that would imperil the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which is a critical humanitarian effort that is clearly having a positive impact on access to food for millions of people," said the spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.
Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said before Moscow discusses a renewal "Russia needs to see the export of its grain and fertilisers in the world market, which has never happened since the beginning of the deal".
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