UA
FR
DEby Avery Lawrence
As Russia’s war against Ukraine continues, the Ukrainian economy has shown resiliency. After suffering a 28.8% GDP drop immediately after Russia’s invasion in 2022, as well as an increase in inflation, the economy has managed to recover significantly since the onset of war and experienced a 5.5% GDP recovery in 2023. Ukraine’s economic survival during the war has been credited to a mix of initiatives, including successful farming harvests that have kept Ukraine’s grain industry afloat. While this shows promise for Ukraine’s future, the economic hardship still shows desperation throughout Ukraine’s populace.
The war in Ukraine and the hunger experienced highlight a crucial segment of Ukraine’s economy: its food production. Food production is more than an economic resource that boosts Ukraine’s GDP numbers; it’s a crucial resource that Europe and the entire world rely on to maintain stable prices and prevent mass starvation. Now that this vital resource is under attack, the European Union must take action to secure its own food security and prevent the mass starvation and inflation that can be caused if Russia destroys or occupies Ukraine’s grain industry.
Hunger in Ukraine and The World
Often nicknamed “The Breadbasket of Europe”, Ukraine was the 11th largest producer of the world’s grain as of 2022. This grain distribution is crucial in developing nations, which may rely on importing grain to provide for their citizens. About 80% of the World Food Programme’s grain comes from Ukraine, and is then provided to people in need throughout the world. Under the invasion, the ability to harvest crops has been significantly strained. Farmers must now act like soldiers, as they scan the horizon for bombers before they are able to safely harvest their crops. Much of Ukraine’s arable farmland is currently under occupation, and other parts of it have been eradicated by Russian attacks, stripping farmers of their livelihood and depriving the world of its nutrition. The attacks on Ukraine and its food supply have made it difficult for Ukrainians to obtain food, and it’s now estimated that one-third of Ukrainians in frontline regions suffer hunger. Coinciding with this, Ukraine experienced a massive shock of inflation at the onset of the war, making access to food more difficult. Hunger in Ukraine has been exacerbated as Russia has deliberately used starvation and targeting of food resources as a weapon against Ukraine.
Ukraine Guarantees European Food Security
The reverberations of Russia’s war on Ukraine won’t just affect Ukrainian food security; it will affect the entire world and Europe’s food security. We have already seen these effects take place at the onset of the war, before the farmers began to adapt and recover from the shock of the invasion. Throughout Europe, a wave of inflation caused by uncertainty in Ukraine’s food supply drove up the prices of groceries and dining. In this moment, Europe experienced the danger of losing Ukrainian food independence. One can only imagine how this could be worsened if Ukraine’s grain came under the control of Russia or a Russian-installed puppet. No longer would Ukraine be able to freely trade and feed the European Union, along with the rest of the world. Instead, we could watch as Russian oligarchs control and manipulate Ukraine’s food trade, which could force Europe to depend on other nations to feed its populace at a reasonable price.
It is no surprise that the invasion of Ukraine led to an increase in prices throughout Europe, as Ukraine accounts for a large portion of Europe’s sunflower oil, corn, wheat, rapeseed, and barley. With food and economic security for Europe being so heavily tied to Ukraine, the necessity of Ukrainian ascension into the European Union becomes even clearer. With the support of the EU, Ukraine could become even more integrated with Europe’s trade network, which could help Europe secure its food independence in a world where free trade is no longer guaranteed.
EU Skepticism on Ukraine Support is Naive
In reaction to the war, Europe has continually been an ally in the support of its defence, which it reiterated with a recent 90 billion dollar loan. Despite this, many far-right movements throughout Europe have painted these investments in Ukraine’s economy as a zero-sum game. Hungary and Slovakia, two nations run by right-wing populists, have routinely blocked aid to Ukraine’s military and economy, even those using frozen Russian assets. Furthermore, other nations have seen a rise in parties skeptical of funding Ukraine’s defense against Russia. Framing the funding of Ukraine’s economy and military as a zero-sum game vastly underscores the importance Ukraine holds for a European economy free of external control. If leaders in Europe wish to secure access to food for their citizens, they need to support their ally, which is a major factor in European food security.
Conclusion
Securing food security for Ukraine, the European Union, and the World are actions that are heavily tied to each other. The European Union must continue to support Ukraine, through continuing its trade of grain and resources with Ukraine, as well as military support, so Ukraine can prevent the destruction of its wheat fields. Furthermore, the EU must continue to offer a pathway for full Ukrainian ascension, so that it can fully secure its food needs with the help of a strong and independent Ukrainian economy. Keeping Ukraine’s economy sovereign and strong is essential for the security and economies of the European Union, and to prevent starvation throughout the many parts of the world that rely on Ukraine’s grain.