Ukraine war: China on alert as sugar shortage signals new front in global food crisis
- Several nations have moved to limit sugar exports since the war in Ukraine started, fearful about food security as global agricultural prices rise
- As countries move to restrict supply, China’s agricultural ministry has cut its forecast for domestic sugar output in the current marketing year
Anxiety about a looming global food crisis has ratcheted up a notch as spillovers from the Ukraine war spread from grain to sugar, while export restrictions imposed by many countries are expected to keep driving up prices.
Though the world’s least developed countries are likely to be hit hardest by higher sugar prices, China’s sugar output is tipped to be lower than expected this year, meaning more imports will be needed to meet domestic demand.
There are signs, however, that Chinese consumption of sugar is already falling amid rising import costs and strict coronavirus controls.
Kazakhstan started a six-month-long ban on white and cane sugar exports on Monday.
Pakistan imposed a “complete ban” on sugar exports earlier this month, worried about high inflation. Russia in March also banned sugar exports until the end of August following Western sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine.
