The reasons for the increased price of cereals

Is a food crisis looming?

The price of many commodities rose dramatically in 2022. Among them, cereals, a basic ingredient of human nutrition, have suffered the effects of inflation. An increase that worries international observers, since millions of people are already struggling to feed themselves properly. What explains this surge?

Of course, the war between Ukraine and Russia has hurt since these two countries produce 30% of the world's wheat. Russia preferred to export less in order to avoid the explosion of costs, which would cause discontent in its population. Obviously, the conflict does not help in the price increase.

However, another important factor will have even more effect. Indeed, climate change causes droughts or floods that affect the cultivation of grains, especially in the southern hemisphere of the planet. They will therefore become more dependent on agricultural production in the North, which is also subject to the vagaries of climate.

Thus, experts encourage farmers internationally to diversify and create environments that allow for biodiversity conservation. Because razing acres of forest or draining marshes to grow grain would be the worst solution to the problem.

Time: 11m22