African countries are at risk of facing a shortage of wheat and a number of food products in the next few weeks due to the conflict in Ukraine. Dirk Kotze, an employee of the largest university in South Africa and the African continent, the University of South Africa, warned about this.

Numerous countries in Africa import wheat and other grains from Russia and Ukraine, local radio station SABC quoted him as saying on Monday. - We expect a shortage of wheat, wheat flour and products from it. To this should be added the continuing rise in oil prices, which accelerates inflation, TASS reports.

Russia is the largest exporter of wheat in the world, and Ukraine occupies the fifth position in this market, the radio station notes. In recent years, they together provided 19% of the world's supply of barley, 14% of wheat and 4% of corn. As a result, Russia and Ukraine account for more than one third of the world's grain exports. Their share in the world export of sunflower oil reaches 52%. Russia is also the world's largest producer and exporter of agricultural fertilizers.

The authorities of many African countries that import wheat from Russia and Ukraine have already stated that if Western sanctions against Russia continue, they expect a surge in prices for wheat and wheat products. As a result, the poorest segments of the population, who spend a significant part of their income on food, will suffer.