In the midst of the food crisis Modi offered to "feed the world". However, the country's economic situation and the impending elections have prompted New Delhi to seek to secure domestic consumption

India's export restrictions aggravate global wheat crisis

photo_camera REUTERS/AJAY VERMA - India bans wheat exports "with immediate effect" to ensure domestic consumption amid critical global situation

Russia's invasion of Ukraine - the so-called 'breadbasket of Europe' - has put international food security at risk. The two countries are two of the world's largest wheat exporters and the main pillars of food stability in regions such as North Africa.

The war is hampering the cultivation of wheat in Ukraine, as well as making it difficult for ships loaded with grain to leave the country. On the other hand, the sanctions imposed on Moscow make Russian exports impossible. In this regard, African countries such as Senegal have called on the West to lift these sanctions for fear of a serious food crisis on the continent

While this crisis has global repercussions, the UN and other international organisations have warned that the war in Ukraine will hit the most vulnerable regions hardest. The UN points out that West Africa and countries such as Yemen, Afghanistan and Ethiopia will be the first to feel the "hurricane of famine". 

Esta foto aérea tomada el 7 de julio de 2022 muestra a un agricultor llenando la cosecha de trigo en un camión cerca de Kramatosk en la región de Donetsk, Ucrania  AFP/MIGUEL MEDINA

For this reason, certain countries had emerged as possible alternatives to alleviate the global food crisis. One of these countries was India, the world's second largest wheat producer after China. However, recent decisions by the Indian government have dashed hopes for India.

In May, India banned wheat exports "with immediate effect" to ensure domestic consumption amid the critical global situation. However, the Indian government said it would allow sales to neighbouring or other vulnerable countries that "cannot access sufficient supplies of wheat", as a statement from the Directorate General of Commerce explained.

El Primer Ministro de la India, Narendra Modi PHOTO/MARKUS SCHEIBER via REUTERS

India, despite being the world's second largest wheat producer, accounts for only 1% of global wheat trade as it keeps a large quantity for domestic use. Last year, for example, it produced 109 million tonnes, but exported only about 7 million tonnes, according to AFP.

But the war in Ukraine changed everything. The world turned its eyes and hopes to the Asian country, hoping that it would increase its wheat exports. Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered to help cover the global wheat shortage, showing his willingness to "feed the world". But the economic situation in the country, with presidential elections just around the corner, has changed Modi's good intentions and he now seeks to protect the welfare of his citizens.

Un agricultor cosecha trigo en las afueras de Jammu, India, el jueves 28 de abril de 2022. La India está inmersa en una ola de calor que bate récords y que está frenando la producción de trigo. Los agricultores indios programan su plantación para que la fase final de maduración de los granos coincida con la primavera, normalmente más fría, de la India AP/CHANNI ANAND

According to an Indian official quoted by Reuters, "the rise in general prices raised concerns about inflation and that is why the government had to ban wheat exports". The effects of the war in Ukraine, such as higher prices for fuel and other goods, led to domestic inflation in India of up to 7.79%, the highest since May 2014, France24 notes.

New Delhi is trying to ensure domestic consumption not only because of the consequences of the war in Ukraine, but also because of a severe heat wave that has damaged the country's wheat crop. This meteorological setback, which raised the temperature to 47 degrees Celsius, forced the government to reduce production estimates by at least 5%.

Trabajadores de un molino de harina de trigo refinada en Khanna, en el estado indio de Punjab, el 18 de mayo de 2022. - Cuando Nueva Delhi prohibió las exportaciones de trigo cuando los precios se dispararon por la invasión rusa de Ucrania, provocó consternación en el extranjero e hizo que el cereal subiera aún más AFP/SAJJAD HUSSAIN

Despite the country's plight, G7 leaders criticised India's decision at their recent meeting in Germany. "If the whole world starts imposing export restrictions or closing markets, the crisis will get worse," German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir told a press conference in Stuttgart, quoted by AFP. "We call on India to assume its responsibility as a member of the G20," Özdemir added.

Cem Özdemir, a la izquierda, Ministro Federal de Alimentación y Agricultura de Alemania y Mykola Solskyj, Ministro de Agricultura de Ucrania, hacen una declaración en la reunión de ministros de agricultura del G7 en el Castillo de Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Alemania, el viernes 13 de mayo de 2022 PHOTO/AP

Despite international condemnation of this decision and the rise in wheat prices, India is going further and will restrict wheat flour exports from 12 July with the same objective: to ensure domestic consumption. "Disruptions in the global supply of wheat and wheat flour have created many price fluctuations and potential quality-related problems," the Directorate General of Trade said.

Yemen seeks to secure Indian wheat imports 

In an effort to secure wheat imports, a Yemeni delegation will travel to India next week. During that visit, the Yemeni government will try to reach an agreement to import wheat from India, Trade and Industry Minister Mohammed Al-Ashwal told Reuters. 

Sacos de trigo en un almacén de grano en Sanaa, Yemen REUTERS/KHALED ABDULLAH

Al-Ashwal also warned that Yemen's "strategic food" stocks will last until the end of August. The Arabian Peninsula country has been embroiled in a bloody war since 2014, which has led to the most severe humanitarian crisis on the planet. However, the Yemeni minister is optimistic ahead of the trip to India. "There has been great progress regarding the agreement with the Indian government on lifting bans on wheat exports to Yemen," he said.

Yemeníes desplazados por el conflicto, reciben ayuda alimentaria y provisiones para cubrir sus necesidades básicas, en un campamento en el distrito de Khokha de la provincia occidental de Hodeida AFP/KHALED ZIAD
Indonesia and Malaysia also suspend exports 

India is not alone in imposing restrictions on exports of certain foods. In late April, Indonesia suspended foreign sales of palm oil for a month. The island nation is the world's largest producer of palm oil, accounting for 60% of global production. Jakarta, like New Delhi, is putting a premium on domestic consumption amid rising prices, shortages and fears of social unrest

Un agricultor indio transporta la cosecha de trigo de un campo en las afueras de Jammu, India, el jueves 28 de abril de 2022 AP/CHANNI ANAND

At the end of May, another Southeast Asian country blocked part of its exports. Malaysia, in order to secure the domestic market, suspended exports of live chickens. This was of particular concern to Singapore, which imports a third of its chicken from Malaysia.

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