The dramatic surge in food prices must inspire the search for solutions

The dramatic surge in food prices in recent months has been a significant setback for Africa’s food security. Food prices have forced many Africans into financial difficulty when many families still struggle to recover from the economic aftershocks of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The current conflict in Ukraine is the primary driver of the global food price spike, impacting nearly every region. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Ukraine and Russia produce over 30% of the world’s wheat and barley, 25% of maize, and more than 50% of sunflower.

The conflict and the subsequent Western sanctions imposed on Russia have severely curtailed the global availability of key commodities. The scenario is exacerbated by ongoing disruptions in global supply chains from Covid-19. This has caused food prices throughout the world to skyrocket.

READ MORE: Africa: Sustainable agriculture is crucial for food security and economic growth