DISINFO: Russia is not responsible for causing famine in Africa
SUMMARY
The claims that Russia is causing hunger in Africa are completely groundless. Such statements are a "deliberate distortion of reality". The lack of grain and food on the African continent has nothing to do with Russia's position. On the contrary, Russia has a very responsible position. Russia continues to trade grain and is a responsible and very serious supplier, despite the significant difficulties imposed on it by the countries of the European Union and the USA.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative aiming to deflect Russia’s responsibility for the food crisis and supply insecurity.
Russia's responsibility for the global food crisis comes as a consequence of the unprovoked and unjustified Russian invasion of Ukraine: naval blockade of Ukrainian posts, bombardment of transport infrastructure, and shelling of farming regions. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has destabilised global food markets and is driving food prices up due to increased cost of production, transport and freight insurance. Russia has destroyed substantial food stocks, production, as well as processing and transport capacities in Ukraine.
On 22 July 2022, an agreement was brokered by the United Nations and Türkiye to open a safe maritime humanitarian corridor in the Black Sea (the Black Sea Grain Initiative).
As of July 2023, almost 33 million tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs had been exported via the Black Sea Grain Initiative. 65% of the wheat exported through the BSGI reached developing countries. Maize was exported almost equally to developed and developing countries.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP – the largest humanitarian organisation in the world) also shipped wheat from Black Sea ports. As of July 2023, the program had bought 80% of its grain stock from Ukraine, up from 50% before the war. Over 725 000 tonnes of wheat left Ukrainian ports to Ethiopia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, and Djibouti during the implementation of the initiative.
In July 2023, Russia announced its decision to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Russian withdrawal from the grain deal puts Africa at risk of increased food insecurity. Contrary to Russia’s disinformation, the disruption of agricultural production and trade in Ukraine and the spike in global food prices is not caused by the EU - but by the very own actions of the Russian Government.
The EU sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus do not target the agricultural sector. The purchase, import, and transport of agricultural and food products are exempted from the ban on Russian-flagged vessels. See more in this sanctions explainer.
See other similar disinformation narratives in our database, such as claims that the EU is causing a global food shortage by keeping all the grain from Ukraine; Western sanctions cause a food crisis and price growth, that the food crisis has nothing to do with the Russian special operation, that Russia places no obstacles on the export of Ukrainian grain, or that Kyiv burned grains in Mariupol and mined the Black Sea to prevent its exportation.