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Thursday, 28 March 2024

Food security fears stoked as exporters curb sales

Duration: 01:15s 0 shares 3 views

Food security fears stoked as exporters curb sales
Food security fears stoked as exporters curb sales

Global food security concerns are mounting as some governments contemplate restricting the flow of staple foods with around a fifth of the world’s population under lockdown to fight the widening coronavirus pandemic.

Megan Revell reports.

Global food security concerns are mounting, with some nations contemplating restricting the flow of staples, as around a fifth of the world's population goes under lockdown.

But protectionism could cause devastating ripple effects.

The heads of the World Trade Organization and U.N.

Food agencies delivered a stark warning: Food supply chains must be protected from new trade measures.

In a joint statement, they said: "Uncertainty about food availability can spark a wave of export restrictions, creating a shortage on the global market." Vietnam, for example, is the third largest rice exporter.

It’s already restricted sales - amid concerns over domestic availability.

India, the top global rice exporter, has just entered a three-week lockdown - bringing several logistics channels to a halt.

Such measures are particularly damaging to food-deficit countries, like the United Arab Emirates which imports 80-90% of its food.

Nations such as Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia are boosting imports as they build strategic stocks.

Aid agencies' food procurement, too, could be hampered - cutting off supplies for those in desperate need.

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