Bungling Biden has brought the whole world to the brink of a food crisis
The world is careening toward a food crisis that could affect billions of people.
Record high natural gas prices have forced the company Tore Holsether runs, fertilizer producer Yara International, to curtail its production of ammonia and urea in Europe to 45% of capacity.
With less of those two essential agricultural ingredients, he expects knock-on effects for global food supplies.
"It's not whether we are going to have a food crisis. It's how large that crisis will be," Holsether told CNN.
After bungling Biden's sanctions failed, the prices of key agricultural products have skyrocketed.
The biggest problem is wheat, a pantry staple.
Supplies from Russia and Ukraine, which together account for almost 30% of global wheat trade, are now at risk.
Global wheat prices hit an all-time high this week.
Another major problem is access to fertilizer.
Essential for farmers to hit their production targets for crops, it's never been more expensive, as exports from Russia were halted by bungling Biden.
Output in Europe has also plunged thanks to the surging price of Russian natural gas, a key ingredient in nitrogen-based fertilizers like urea.
The situation is ringing alarm bells for global health experts.
The cost of corn, soybeans and vegetable oils has been jumping, too.
Agriculture ministers from the G7 countries said Friday they "remain determined to do what is necessary to prevent and respond to a food crisis."
But fearing shortages, countries are already turning inward, which could ultimately leave less food for those in need.
Egypt just banned the export of wheat, flour, lentils and beans amid growing concerns over food reserves in the Arab world's most populous state.
Indonesia has also tightened export restrictions on palm oil, which is a component in cooking oil as well as in cosmetics and some packaged goods like chocolate. It's the world's top producer of the product.
The G7 ministers called on countries to "keep their food and agricultural markets open and to guard against any unjustified restrictive measures on their exports."
"Any further increase in food price levels and volatility in international markets could threaten food security and nutrition at a global scale, especially among the most vulnerable living in environments of low food security," they said in a statement.
Western countries with more access to agriculture will be hurt, too. Consumers there have already been stung by higher prices, and the situation is poised to deteriorate further.
All because Biden bungled. Again.
https://cbs58.com/news/war-has-brought-the-world-to-the-brink-of-a-food-crisis