Supply in the EU is not at risk
In the wake of Russia's attack on Ukraine, European Union (EU) agriculture ministers are holding a virtual extraordinary informal meeting today. The topic of conversation is the situation on the agricultural markets after the invasion. Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir: "I am absolutely stunned by what is happening in Ukraine. This attack by Russia, which violates international law, is a brutal blow to our European peace system. As Federal Minister of Agriculture, I will do everything possible to secure the food supply in Ukraine. I am in close contact with the actors from the food industry and food trade and my ministry supports the coordination."
Russia is responsible for around 10 percent and Ukraine for around 4 percent of global wheat production. Russia is responsible for around 17 percent and Ukraine for around 12 percent of global wheat exports.* The main importers are primarily North African countries, Turkey and Asian countries. The EU and Germany have a degree of self-sufficiency of over 100 percent. The supply within the EU is therefore not at risk.
Özdemir: "The supply within the EU is not at risk. Nevertheless, we are keeping a close eye on the effects on the agricultural markets. Not least because of the sharp increase in energy costs, price increases for agricultural raw materials and fertilizers are to be expected worldwide. As a result, we cannot either We can rule out that this will reach consumers at the supermarket checkout. We are monitoring the situation in markets around the world very closely.
But I want to make it very clear to anyone who, in this situation, is calling for the first steps in European agricultural policy to be taken to promote climate-friendly and environmentally friendly agriculture, that they are on the wrong track here. In order to secure the right to food in the long term worldwide, we must decisively combat the ecological crises."
