INTERNATIONAL food and feed prices could rise by up to 20% as a result of the conflict in Ukraine, triggering a jump in global malnourishment, the United Nations food agency said yesterday.

The Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organization said it is unclear whether Ukraine will be able to harvest crops if the war drags on while uncertainty also surrounds the prospects for Russian exports in the coming year, according to reports by Jordan News Agency.

It said Russia is the world’s largest exporter of wheat and Ukraine is the fifth largest. Together, they provide 19% of the world’s barley supply, 14% of wheat and 4% of maize, making up more than one-third of global cereal exports.

Russia is also a world leader in fertiliser exports, it added. – Bernama, March 12, 2022.