Even before the conflict, the world was already in a food crisis due to rising prices of staples and increasing hunger. In the situation that Russia's special military operation in Ukraine is causing difficulties for European exports, the world's leading agricultural technology group Syngenta said that it is providing seeds and food protection products. materials for farmers in the area to produce food.

"Our business in Ukraine right now is not for profit; it is providing much-needed agricultural inputs in the form of credit with a high risk of default," a company spokesman said. you answer the questions. "The goods we carry are no longer insured against loss. We recognize and accept these high risks and believe it is the right thing to do."

Syngenta was acquired by China National Chemical Corp., or ChemChina, for $43 billion in 2017. This marks China's largest foreign takeover to date. Syngenta has announced plans to list $10 billion on the Chinese version of Nasdaq in Shanghai. The spokesperson said plans are still being worked out for an initial public offering this year.

Commenting on the significant food shortages in North Africa and other regions, Joe Glauber, former chief economist for the US Department of Agriculture, said: "I think you have to remember that this conflict took place at a time supply points are already scarce.Global stocks for the crop are fairly low and prices are at their highest levels in several years.This conflict has exacerbated that, especially for wheat. - important food for people in North Africa and the Middle East".

Mr. Glauber said that using the word "shortage" is probably not quite right. There is not much wheat in the world but there will be enough. The main problem is that it will be very expensive. Not only is having access to food difficult, being able to afford it is also a headache.

According to him, governments in countries in North Africa will intervene. Countries that can afford it will subsidize bread. However, in countries like Yemen, which imports almost 100% of its wheat and has very few reserves, civil war is raging. So they will need humanitarian aid. Prices have increased a lot. The important thing the government can do is not make the situation worse. Don't introduce export restrictions, don't repeat what we've seen in the past.

Russia and Ukraine are major suppliers of fertilizers globally. Mr. Glauber hopes the sanctions won't target fertilizers because he thinks the world needs to maintain a high yield first because humanity needs grain right now.

Mr. Glauber said: "People can recall the lesson of the Arab spring. We had the food riots in 2007, 2008. When food accounted for a large portion of household expenditures. family, they'll try to keep prices reasonable. For countries in North Africa, which are heavily dependent on wheat, it's difficult to get prices too high."

He added: "We harvested the crop last year, but it hasn't come to market yet. We still have to harvest all the wheat that was planted last fall and will hit the market next month. June and July. That will require diesel fuel and manpower."