Food security and affordability
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has aggravated the global food crisis. EU countries coordinate actions to ensure global food security and provide relief to the world’s poorest.
What is the EU doing to address the food crisis?
The EU and its member states stand united against Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine and are strongly committed to tackling the global food crisis.
Solidarity lanes and the Black Sea grain deal
A major priority for EU countries in addressing growing food insecurity is to help Ukraine export its agri-food production, which has been severely compromised by Russia's full-scale invasion.
Ukraine is a key producer and exporter of food staples, such as wheat and maize. Some 90% of its wheat exports went to Africa and Asia between 2016 and 2021, supporting food security in some of the most disadvantaged regions of the world.
With Russia’s blockade of Ukraine’s ports from the start of the war, around 20 million tonnes of grain were stuck in storage silos on the Black Sea shores.
In May 2022, the European Commission presented an action plan to establish EU-Ukraine solidarity lanes. The goal was to develop alternative overland routes to help Ukraine export its agricultural products, by:
- providing freight rolling stock, vessels and lorries
- more effectively using the existing capacity of transport networks and transhipment terminals
- simplifying and speeding up customs operations and other inspections
- enabling the storage of goods on EU territory
Since the start of operations in May 2022, more than 48 million tonnes of agricultural products, including grain and oilseeds have been exported via the solidarity lanes.
In July 2022, Russia consented to stop the blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports following an agreement with Ukraine brokered by the United Nations and Türkiye. The Black Sea Grain Initiative was then created to facilitate the export of Ukraine's grain and other foodstuffs via the sea routes.
As of July 2023, nearly 33 million tonnes of agricultural goods were shipped from Ukraine thanks to the Black Sea Grain Initiative. 65% of the wheat transported via the initiative reached developing countries, including through the humanitarian operations of the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP). Ukraine was WFP’s biggest supplier of wheat in 2022, supplying more than half of the programme's global wheat grain procurement.
Ukrainian grain exports explained (infographic)
Before the war, 90% of Ukrainian grain was exported via the Black Sea. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, only half of the grain is transported via sea, with 55% being exported via the solidarity lanes.
Chart showing that 55% of Ukraine’s food has been exported via solidarity lanes and 45% via the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
At the end of November 2022, Ukraine launched the ‘Grain from Ukraine’ initiative which also contributes to global food security. The initiative allows entities participating in the project to buy agricultural products from Ukrainian producers and transfer them to countries where populations are on the brink of starvation.
In July 2023, Russia decided to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The EU unequivocally condemned Russia’s decision.
Russia continues weaponising food. By terminating the agreements, Russia is solely responsible for disruptions of grain deliveries worldwide and fuelling food price inflation globally. Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
Food for the world
The tragedy unfolding in Ukraine is having an impact all over the world as Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified full-scale invasion is intensifying a global food crisis.
EU countries are acting together to help people facing soaring food prices and bring some relief to the world’s poorest.
A coordinated response to the food crisis
EU countries’ coordinated work to address the global food crisis is focused on four strands of action, following the Council conclusions agreed in June 2022:
- solidarity
- sustainable production
- trade
- multilateralism
How EU countries are addressing the global food crisis (infographic)
Solidarity
EU countries provide emergency relief to those most in need worldwide.
The EU and its member states are the largest provider of development aid globally. The EU is making significant efforts to match its support to the increasing and urgent needs. In June 2022, EU countries supported a €8 billion commitment for the period 2020-2024 for food security.
In 2022, EU humanitarian funding grew by 32% compared to 2021, reaching €770 million. These funds were used to ensure access to food for the most vulnerable and support local food production via cash assistance and other means. The EU and its member states are also major donors to the World Food Programme (WFP).
In addition, €225 million were provided from the food and resilience facility to Southern neighbourhood partners in the Middle East and North Africa region.
EU countries also make a significant contribution to global food security by exporting a large part of their agricultural production to developing nations. Over half of the EU’s exports of wheat go to Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria) and Asia (Pakistan).
Sustainable production
Satisfying global food needs should not come at the expense of the environment and should follow a sustainable food system model.
In June 2022, EU leaders agreed to:
- help developing countries reorient their supply chains, where necessary
- accelerate work on the EU initiatives aiming to support Africa’s sustainable agri-food production capacities
- support the development of input manufacturing capacity in developing countries, in particular sustainable fertilisers
Working towards sustainable food systems globally will have a positive impact on countries’ resilience in the face of crises such as the current one.
Trade
EU countries are working with their international partners to promote an open and predictable trade environment for agricultural goods.
During the Special European Council meeting in May 2022, EU leaders reiterated their commitment to keep global trade in food commodities free of unjustified trade barriers.
The EU’s sanctions against Russia do not affect the agriculture and food sectors. They do not prohibit the import and transportation of Russian agricultural goods.
Multilateralism
Effective international coordination is key to ensure a comprehensive global response to the global crisis.
EU countries are cooperating with their international partners to provide a global response to the food crisis, including through initiatives such as the G7 global alliance for food security (GAFS) and the international Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission (FARM).
These initiatives are complementary and focus on three areas of action:
- short-term solidarity action to boost global food supplies and ensure access for vulnerable countries
- trade-related action to ensure the efficient functioning of global markets
- action to enhance long-term responsible investments to create sustainable and resilient food production in vulnerable countries
The EU is also coordinating its response closely with the African Union to ensure that actions and initiatives are effectively integrated into the wider EU-AU strategic partnership.
In September 2022, European Council President Charles Michel co-chaired a summit on global food security, in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly week. Together with the other leaders, they issued a short declaration committing to strengthen international cooperation and partnership initiatives.
Supporting EU agri-food production
The EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) has ensured enough food for Europeans over generations and throughout various crises over the last 60 years.
Thanks to this common policy, today EU citizens are at no risk of food shortages. The CAP supports farmers to ensure continuity of production.
In March 2022, the EU provided support worth €500 million to farmers most affected by higher input costs caused by the energy crisis. In addition, farmers could benefit from:
- advance payments to address cash flow challenges
- temporary derogations on some CAP requirements, such as set-aside land
- a crisis framework to receive further support
To tackle higher food prices, EU member states have taken also national measures, including:
- reducing VAT rates
- encouraging retailers to keep prices down
- using dedicated EU funds to help the most deprived
In spring 2023, to face local market disruptions linked to the import of agricultural products from Ukraine, the European Commission provided financial support to impacted member states. The support came in response to a request by some countries and was taken from the crisis reserve of the CAP.
The common agricultural policy explained
Feeding Europe: 60 years of common agricultural policy
Six decades after its launch in 1962, the EU's common agricultural policy supports an open single market for EU agricultural food products. Hear more about the CAP from European farmers and beneficiaries.
What is causing the food crisis?
Food insecurity has grown globally since 2016. In the context of rising global commodity prices, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its use of food as a weapon of war have strongly impacted food markets.
Russia, by weaponising food in its war against Ukraine, is solely responsible for the global food security crisis it has provoked. European Council conclusions, 23 June 2022
How the Russian invasion of Ukraine has further aggravated the global food crisis (infographic)
Russia’s military aggression has caused both:
- scarcity of food
- all-time high increases in food and fertiliser prices
Global agricultural commodity prices have been constantly rising since mid-2020 against the backdrop of the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, soaring fertiliser and energy prices and a global deterioration of macroeconomic conditions.
Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine has exacerbated the market situation, pushing commodity prices up even further and reducing the availability of food worldwide.
Actions by Russia which have caused a sudden drop in Ukraine’s food exports and production and have had a disruptive effect on markets include:
- blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea ports
- attacks on Ukraine’s food processing and export infrastructure
- bombing and occupation of Ukraine’s arable land
- deliberate reduction in own food and fertiliser exports
In March 2022, Russia announced a temporary ban on exports of grains and fertilisers, which led to market destabilisation. Russia is a major producer and exporter of fertilisers, such as nitrogen fertilisers – which are key to ensuring agri-food production.
The EU has never prevented exports from Russia of food supplies, fertilisers, and other agricultural products. Such products are not subject to EU sanctions.
According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation, food prices reached their peak in March 2022 – with an increase of over 60% compared to the same month in 2020. Prices continue to remain volatile.
Why are Ukraine’s crops key to global food security?
Ukraine, considered the bread basket of Europe, is a top global producer and exporter of agri-food products. It is the fifth largest exporter of wheat worldwide, and the fourth for maize.
Together with Russia, another major exporter, Ukraine covers about 30% of the world’s maize and wheat supply and more than half of the world’s supply of sunflower seed oil.
Africa and Asia are the main recipients of Ukraine’s agricultural production. Between 2016 and 2021, more than half (58%) of all wheat exports went to Asia, and 34% to Africa. Ukraine plays a key role in ensuring food security in some of the poorest countries in the world.
Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s transport infrastructure and the de facto blockade of its Black Sea ports, from which 90% of Ukraine’s agricultural products were normally exported, resulted in a drastic drop in exports.
Damage to Ukraine’s crops, food warehouses and agricultural machinery caused by Russian forces have strongly affected Ukraine’s production and export capacity.
Who is most affected by food insecurity and higher prices?
Scarcity of food is a growing concern for millions of people, particularly in Africa and Asia and especially in those countries already afflicted by hunger, such as Somalia, Yemen and Afghanistan.
High food prices affect people’s ability to buy food and add further pressure to low-income households, including in the EU.
The impact of the crisis is likely to continue in the long term, especially in developing countries.
According to WFP, in 2022 needs reached unprecedented levels. A record 349 million people in the world experienced acute hunger (WFP annual review 2022).
Children in developing countries are particularly at high risk due to increased acute malnutrition levels resulting from food scarcity and higher prices.
No food shortage in the EU
EU countries are not at risk of food shortages.
The EU is a top producer of agri-food products – it was the top trader worldwide in 2022 – and, although Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and climate change are having an impact on production, the EU’s food system remains solid and reliable.
However, inflation and higher food prices are hitting citizens in EU countries. Affordability is a top concern for EU leaders, particularly with regard to low-income and vulnerable groups, which are affected most.
According to Eurostat’s food price monitoring tool, food prices in the EU were 19% higher in March 2023 than in the same month in 2022.