Russian invasion of Ukraine challenges food system more

Editor's Note: This article dives into the implications of Russia's war in Ukraine on the global food system, making an argument for localized production as a way for nations everywhere to de-risk their food supply from potential disruption by foreign actors. Agritecture stands with the people of Ukraine in opposing the Russian invasion; our critique of this war is not directed against the Russian people, many of whom oppose the actions of their government.

Nicknamed "the breadbasket of Europe," Ukraine is home to almost a quarter of the world's super-fertile "black soil," according to Leshchenko. With 42 million hectares of agricultural land, three-quarters of which is currently cultivated annually, "Ukraine's farmlands are the nation's greatest asset."

A seemingly small country, Ukraine is the world's fifth-largest wheat exporter, accounting for ~10% of the global export market, and is also a leading producer of sunflowers, corn, soybeans, and barley.

Today, Ukraine's food system is in peril. And, with it, so is the global food system. 

The Russian war is pushing residents to spend their days in shelters or rush to flee the country. Agritecture's Lead Agronomist, David Ceaser, adds that "in addition to the horrific loss of life and destruction, there are serious agricultural implications too. The 2022 planting season should be occurring now and farmers are logically defending their country instead of planting, which will result in additional future grain shortages.  Another side effect is the damages to critical transportation routes."

Ceaser also gave us a personal anecdote from working recently with Czech hops farmers, sharing that "many of the hops farms we work with have employed a high proportion of Ukrainian labor in recent years and raved about the work ethic of these individuals. Their absence will surely be missed in the Saaz region."

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Source: Agritecture