Ukraine Has Given the World a Blueprint to Fight Hunger
Panic over grain shortages caused by Russia’s war triggered a multifront response that countries can build on in future crises.
Intense diplomatic efforts helped free Ukraine grain shipments to feed the world.
Photographer: Andrei Pungovschi/BloombergRussia’s invasion of Ukraine last year triggered tumult across global grain markets. As the cost of corn and wheat surged, panic spread about instability in countries from Yemen to Bangladesh that depend on the warring region for low-cost grains. Would famine worsen? Would civil unrest ensue?
While food-insecure countries have suffered keenly from high grain prices over the past year, some of the consequences we feared most have been avoided. Even as the conflict continues to rage, grain markets have calmed down considerably, with prices close to pre-invasion levels — a better outcome than many expected.