That's the percentage of agricultural land Russia currently controls in Ukraine

Russian forces already control about 22 percent of Ukraine's agricultural lands since the start of the invasion on February 24th, affecting the production of one of the main suppliers of cereal and food oil, the American Space Agency (NASA) said on Thursday.

Satellite data from American scientists and space agency show that Russia's invasion of eastern and southern Ukraine gives it control of land that produces 28 percent of the country's winter harvest, mainly wheat, barley, rye, and 18 percent of the summer harvest, mainly corn and sunflower.

The break-up from the harvest and planting season included farmers leaving the war, lack of labour, and fields hit by shelling can have a major impact on global food supplies, NASA scientists said.

“The world's bread basket is at war,” said Inbal Becker-Rechef, director of NASA's Harveyst programme, which uses American and European satellite data to study global food production.

According to US data, prior to the war Ukraine supplied 46 percent of sunflower oil traded on global markets, 9 percent of wheat, 17 percent of barley and 12 percent of corn.

Russia's invasion has blocked food exports from Odessa, the main Black Sea port, and destroyed storage and transport infrastructure in several areas.

This means that farmers throughout the country, but especially in the occupied areas, have less chance of bringing their product into warehouses and markets.

And it also threatens to plant winter cultures in the fall.

“We are in the initial stages of a food crisis that is likely to somehow affect every country and person in the world,” said Becker-Res chief.

“The world's bread basket is at war,” said Inbal Becker-Rechef, director of NASA's Harveyst programme, which uses American and European satellite data to study global food production.

According to US data, prior to the war Ukraine supplied 46 percent of sunflower oil traded on global markets, 9 percent of wheat, 17 percent of barley and 12 percent of corn.

Russia's invasion has blocked food exports from Odessa, the main Black Sea port, and destroyed storage and transport infrastructure in several areas.

This means that farmers throughout the country, but especially in the occupied areas, have less chance of bringing their product into warehouses and markets.

And it also threatens to plant winter cultures in the fall.

“We are in the initial stages of a food crisis that is likely to somehow affect every country and person in the world,” said Becker-Res chief. / REL