Global and national aspects of food security in the minds of an unstable economy

Abstract

As a result of Russia's aggression and the cessation of the export of Ukrainian agricultural products by sea, 22 million tons of grain were blocked in Ukrainian ports. This has significantly limited the ability of Ukrainian farmers to sell grain for the 2021 and 2022 harvests, while at the same time increasing the threat of global hunger, since almost half of all supplies under the UN World Food Program come from Ukraine. The subject of the study is ensuring food security in Ukraine and the world as a whole. The purpose of this scientific work is the analysis of modern conditions that affect compliance with food security in the global dimension. The main scientific methods used in writing the article were: analysis, synthesis, systematization, comparison, abstract-logical method. It has been established that the unblocking of Ukrainian ports and the resumption of grain and oilseed exports is of crucial importance both for the economy of Ukraine and for global food security. The results of the study indicate that Ukraine currently has three export routes - ports on the Danube, railways and highways. However, each of them has its own shortcomings. For example, the Danube ports have limited capacity due to the lack of barges, berths and terminals. Previously, Ukraine almost did not use this export route and therefore did not invest in it. In turn, railway and road logistics are hampered by heavy traffic jams at the borders, lack of wagons and fuel, phytosanitary procedures, as well as the difference between the European and Ukrainian (wider by 9 cm) tracks. Another significant problem is the lack of storage capacity in European ports, which are not adapted to such volumes of grain transshipment. It has been studied that almost a third of agricultural land is unsuitable for planting because it is mined. It was considered that even if the Ukrainian government manages to organize new ways of exporting food from the country, the export of the 2021/2022 marketing year was significantly smaller than last year. In 2023, due to the significant reduction in cultivated areas caused by the war, it is likely that it will not be possible to collect too large crops, and therefore, the share of Ukrainian products in the world food market will significantly decrease. Ukraine's place can be taken by other producers, in particular Brazil, Argentina, India, Canada and the USA. A significant reduction in Ukraine's exports has been established. The food security system is presented, which includes the conditions for ensuring food security and dimensions of food security. Russian aggression against Ukraine has been proven to be another economic challenge for developing countries in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which threatens their food security. A decrease in the production and export of grain from Ukraine and Russia, as well as an increase in the price of energy raw materials and fertilizers will lead to an increase in food prices in the world. Key words: food security, war in Ukraine, export, food security system.