Kaja Kallas warns of global food crisis due to Russian attacks

European Union diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas has warned that intensifying Russian attacks on Ukrainian export routes in the Black Sea region could trigger a global food crisis. Speaking to MEPs in Strasbourg, Kallas described the situation as a ‘perfect storm’ for the global food system.

Kallas highlighted a dangerous escalation involving six suspected Russian drone attacks within a ten-day period. These strikes have targeted Ukrainian agricultural infrastructure, including Black Sea and Danube ports, export facilities, shipping lanes, and grain storage. She stated that Russia appears to be deliberately using food as a weapon, which threatens food security particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

While global grain reserves are currently higher than in 2022, Kallas noted that other factors are compounding the risk, including droughts in both hemispheres, the conflict in the Middle East affecting fertilizer exports, and the ‘Super El Niño’ climate phenomenon. Global grain prices have already reached their highest levels since February 2023.

Ukraine is a critical global supplier, accounting for approximately 15 percent of global corn exports, 10 percent of wheat, 15 to 20 percent of barley, and 50 percent of sunflower oil. Roughly 90 percent of these goods travel through the Black Sea corridor, which remains the most vital route for reaching international markets. Kallas noted that Ukraine is losing an estimated 60 million euros in export revenue every day.