Harvests of some of Ukraine’s most important crops could be cut in half this year, threatening its position as a major exporter and exacerbating already tight global supplies. The Russian invasion is happening at a crucial time for crops. Ukrainian farmers have just started planting corn and sunflowers, progress of which is being hobbled by field mines and a lack of fuel and fertilizers. For wheat that was sown months before the war, a chunk of the area is occupied by troops.

With ports mostly shut, farmers are also considering switching to crops more suited to local consumption than for export. Even at this early stage in the growing season the situation looks bleak, with analysts projecting output down between 30% and 55%, depending on the crop. That adds to risks for shortages of key staples and may further raise global food prices already at a record.

Ukraine is a key shipper of corn, sunflower oil and wheat, but flows have plunged since war erupted. Although it has ramped up sales by rail across its western border, volumes are just a fraction of normal seaborne trade.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com