Ukraine may not export wheat this year, says a French government source

Continued combat and loss of agricultural workforce “make every harvest and the possibility of sowing another extremely difficult culture”, the French government's source said.

“Only Ukraine is essential for the world food market balance”, the source added.

The Ukrainian government banned exports of major agricultural goods, including wheat, corn, cereals, salt and meat, according to a cabinet resolution that passed earlier this month.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization warned on March 11th that Ukraine's Russian invasion could have ceased grain harvests and exports to Ukraine, in addition to rising prices stemming from fighting there and the effect of economic sanctions on Russian exports.

Ukraine had been on track for a record year of grain exports before the occupation, while Russia's grain exports were slowing down, according to the US Department of Agriculture.

An initiative led by France, FARM (Food Resistance and Agriculture Mission), announced on March 24th during the G7 summit, that it will aim in the short term to keep borders open and exports of crops flowing, with a focus on price transparency and reserves and preventing grain collection, according to the source.

France will also work on a mechanism to secure “solidarity” in the process of a food market in the crisis, the source said, adding, “we must prepare for a crisis situation” on the food market.

France's President Emmanuel Macron will speak tomorrow with Chinese counterpart Xi Ying about the country's grain reserves, the source said, adding that American authorities remain highly mobilised “to respond to possible food shortages.

The source raised particular concerns about the stresses of a slowdown in grain exports from Ukraine to the Middle East, broadcast CNN.