Will Russia-China Agreement Worsen Global Food Crisis?

Dealing with Russia and its unprovoked attack on Ukraine is enough of a problem. Dealing with China and its spy balloons and food hoarding is also enough of a problem. But now with our two enemies becoming even chummier than before, we’ve really got an issue on our hands. 

Recently it was announced that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to cooperate on a range of economic and business issues. China was already Russia’s largest trading partner. 

Thus far, China has refused to call Putin’s attack on Ukraine “an invasion,” although China has encouraged peace talks. 

John Kirby is the U.S. National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications. He said, “If China wants to play a constructive role here in this conflict, then they ought to press Russia to pull its troops out of Ukraine and Ukrainian sovereign territory. 

“They should urge President Putin to cease bombing cities, hospitals, and schools; to stop the war crimes and the atrocities; and end the war today. It could happen right now.”

Putin Continues to Weaponize Food

One of the concerns Ukraine and the West have with a China-Russia alliance is China’s ability to make Western sanctions against Russia less effective. Particularly in the area of food.        

Even without that cooperation, Putin has been “weaponizing” food since the invasion began. The global economy has been negatively affected as a result. 

Russia and Ukraine were the world’s top producers of wheat, barley, and sunflower seeds prior to the start of the war. The crop reductions affected low-income countries first, but now it has become a worldwide problem.

Both countries are also leaders in the global fertilizer industry. And there is now a shortage of that important commodity, which is crucial for the world’s food security. 

One Starvation Every 4 Seconds

Svein Tore Holsether is CEO of the Norwegian chemical company Yara International. They are one of the world’s largest fertilizer producers and suppliers. 

He said, “If you look at the role that we have allowed Russia to have in global food supply, we depend on them. How did that happen? What kind of weapon is that? And Putin is weaponizing food.

“It is sort of a perfect storm for the whole food system right now: very challenging in Europe, of course, with higher prices; even worse in other parts of the world where a human being dies every four seconds as a result of hunger.”

Fertilizer prices have dropped recently but are still high compared to historical standards. And the global supply is limited due to the war, production cuts in Europe, and stricter export controls in China.

We’re Feeling It Here Too

The U.S. has stepped up to help Africa – including a recently signed $2.5 billion food assistance package – and has sold nitrogen to Europe to replace Russian imports.

But we have our own problems when it comes to food production and distribution. Including soaring food prices, customer limits for some items, and empty shelves at some stores.

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Food & Energy Are Intertwined 

The food crisis ties in with the energy crisis that Russia launched with its attack on Ukraine. With fewer oil and natural gas exports from Russia to the West, the fuel crisis worsened around the world.

“Putin has weaponized energy and they’re weaponizing food as well,” Holsether told the BBC recently in Switzerland at the World Economic Forum. “It’s the saying, ‘Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.’”

The rise in natural gas prices following the start of the war resulted in higher prices for fertilizer. Yara and other manufacturers are dependent on ammonia and nitrogen – both byproducts of natural gas – to produce fertilizer.

The lack of fertilizer means farmers around the world may not be able to keep their soil fertile enough for crops. Africa, which could face its sixth consecutive year of drought, is suffering the most, due to its reliance on Russian food imports.

Can Nations Lessen Their Dependence?

Holsether says the ultimate solution is for all countries to become more self-sufficient with food production.

Of course, that’s easier said than done. Especially when extreme weather and pandemics enter the equation and contribute to disrupting the supply chain. 

He also suggested that more effort be placed on creating “green fertilizers” that use hydrogen and renewable energy rather than natural gas for the production of ammonia. 

In other words, the less dependent we are on a country that can cause a food and energy crisis by attacking another country, the better. 

1-Year Survival Food Kit 

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