Putin Says "Food Exports to Unfriendly Countries Must Be Careful"...Hints at Possible Export Restrictions

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks suggesting restrictions on food exports to unfriendly countries have heightened concerns about food crises in Europe, the Middle East, and African countries that heavily depend on Russian grain. Russia is also being criticized for weaponizing food by deliberately destroying major agricultural lands and blockading ports in Ukraine.

On the 5th (local time), President Putin stated at a meeting related to the agricultural sector within the Russian government, "In the context of a global food shortage, this year we need to be cautious about overseas food supplies," adding, "It is especially necessary to closely monitor food exports to countries that are hostile to us." This has been interpreted as a hint at restricting food exports to unfriendly countries, raising concerns that the international food crisis will intensify further.

Russia, along with Ukraine, is the largest exporter of wheat, a staple food in Europe, the Middle East, and African countries. Approximately 30% of the world’s wheat exports depend on Russia and Ukraine. In particular, Middle Eastern and African countries such as Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon rely on imports from these two countries for more than 80% of their total wheat imports.

Since the outbreak of war in February, ports along the southern Black Sea coast of Ukraine have been blockaded due to the conflict, blocking exports of major agricultural products including wheat, corn, salt, and meat. There are concerns that if Russia intentionally halts food exports, the hunger situation in extremely poor countries will worsen further.

Some argue that Russia is weaponizing food, following natural gas, to force Ukraine and the West into submission. The U.S. political media outlet Politico warned, "In 1932, Joseph Stalin also caused a famine known as the 'Holodomor' in Ukraine, during which more than 3.9 million Ukrainians died," adding, "Even if the war ends, it may take years for agricultural production to recover to pre-war levels."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.