War could trigger big food price rise

International food prices could rise by between 8% and 20%

International food and feed prices could rise by between 8% and 20% as a result of the conflict in Ukraine, the UN's food agency says.

Qazet.az reports that a preliminary assessment on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Food and Agriculture Organization (AO) says it is not clear if Ukraine will be able to harvest crops during a potentially protracted conflict, with uncertainty also surrounding Russian food exports.

Its assessment suggests around 20-30% of the usual winter cereals, maize and sunflower seed crops in Ukraine will not be planted or remain unharvested.

Russia is the world's largest exporter of wheat, while Ukraine is the fifth largest, it adds.

Together, they provide 19% of the world's barley supply, 14% of wheat, and 4% of maize, making up more than one-third of global cereal exports, it says.