The Head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, Andriy Yermak has predicted an increase in food prices in Nigeria and other African countries as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The war between the two countries has led to an increase in staple food in the country especially bread as Russia and Ukraine are among the top 5 global suppliers of wheat, barley and maize.
Yermak during an Interview with Legit explained that the war is affecting African countries the most.
Yermak said, “The rise in food and energy prices translates to higher prices for all goods. This aspect directly touches the interests of the majority of the inhabitants of the African continent. You are well aware that a critical rise in prices is very likely to be followed by political instability, unrest, and even war.”
When he was questioned on the effect the war will have on Nigeria, he explained that the effect had begun already.
He said: “Today, more than 90 million tons of grain are amassed in our storage facilities. Until recently, Ukraine was exporting over 50m tons of grain annually to different regions of the world. Over a quarter of this volume went to African countries.
For example, Egypt heavily depends on food supplies from Ukraine and is the second buyer of Ukrainian grain after China.
“Ukraine, traditionally, has also been making large food deliveries to other countries of Africa, from Libya, Tunisia, and Morocco to Tanzania. Some of those grain deliveries from Ukraine have also been accepted by Cameroon, Uganda, Sudan, and a number of other countries.
“Even Nigeria, which in 2020 became the fourth largest wheat importer in the world, received part of this volume from Ukraine.”
