Farmer is worried: food like wheat could become scarce

Created: 03/14/2022, 16:14

By: Jasmin Pospiech

Many across Europe are concerned about the war in Ukraine.

Because Ukraine supplies many countries with wheat.

What consequences are we facing now?

Müchel (Saxony-Anhalt) – The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been raging for several weeks.

There is no end in sight.

There are repeated reports that Russia is launching new attacks, and Kyiv is said to be surrounded by Russian troops.

Europe is dismayed by this: not only because of the many deaths that are reported, but also because the EU has to fear further consequences.

Farmer is worried: food like wheat could become scarce

On the one hand, some EU countries, including Germany, are dependent on Russian gas imports, on the other hand, citizens are already feeling the noticeable rise in energy prices.

But it won't stay that way, believes farmer Carl Philipp Bartmer from Müchel in Saxony-Anhalt.

It will also affect food prices in the long run.

The reason for this: According to reports from the “Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk” (MDR), Russia and Ukraine are also responsible for a third of global wheat production*.

Will wheat be scarcer soon?

That's what farmers fear.

(Iconic image) © Science Photo Library/Imago

That means: If the harvest fails this year, especially in the Ukraine*, this could mean that the important food is becoming scarcer*.

Accordingly, the prices for bread and other grain products will also rise sharply.

Barmer also finds clear words about this: "This is basically a dramatic development where we do not realize what it actually means for the food market when two of the world's largest grain and agricultural exporters go to war."

After all, many Ukrainian peasants cannot go about their day-to-day work in the fields when their country is at war and many able-bodied men are even conscripted.

In addition, trade with Russia has also stalled as the country is hit with many sanctions from the EU.

Farmer Bartmer suspects that while we used to experience an overproduction of food* in the industrialized countries, this could turn into the opposite in the future.

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Farmer is concerned: Food prices could rise

That is why the agricultural expert is now calling for a rethinking of politics.

Saxony-Anhalt's Agriculture Minister Sven Schulze (CDU) also wants this.

He calls for the EU's requirements to be reviewed, any production restrictions on certain foods to be reduced and set-aside areas to be released for feed production*.

In addition, restrictions on the use of fertilizers and crop protection* are to be suspended.

But that is a thorn in the side of some politicians, including the SPD politician Elrid Pasbrig.

"The crisis situation in Ukraine must not be misused to reverse the turnaround in agriculture*," the agricultural policy spokeswoman recently warned.

"It is unfortunate if ecological aspects are to take a back seat," emphasizes Dorothea Frederking, spokeswoman for agricultural policy for the Greens in the state parliament.

“We need stable agriculture.

This can only work if ecosystems are in balance.

That secures tomorrow's harvest.” *

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