The Impact of the Russian-Ukrainian War on Global Food and Environmental Security

Abstract

The global war has disrupted trade, production, and consumption, leading to increased commodity prices and a threat to global food security. The article examines the long-term consequences of the war on global food and environmental security, focusing on disruptions in food markets and infrastructure destruction. The study utilizes the FAOSTAT database and food security indicators to assess the state of food security in Russia and Ukraine from 2010 to 2021. The results reveal numerous negative direct and indirect effects on food and environmental security, with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) being among the most affected regions. Prior to the Russian invasion in February 2022, Ukraine was a major grain exporter to the MENA region. However, the war caused extreme volatility in food insecurity. Among the key consequences of the war, it should be mentioned about the decrease in the volume of production of agricultural products in Ukraine due to the reduction of cultivated areas as a result of blockades and destruction, which led to export restrictions, and loss of producers’ income. The countries of the Global South are most vulnerable to the food crisis (Turkey, Egypt, Georgia, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya), given the significant import dependence on Ukraine and the significant increase in product prices. The war has also resulted in pollution of water and land resources, air contamination, supply and sewage problems, and deteriorating sanitary conditions.