Food supply is not at stake in the EU today. The EU is largely self-sufficient for key agricultural products, being a main wheat and barley exporter and largely able to covers its consumption for other staple crops such as maize or sugar. The EU is also largely self-sufficient for animal products, including dairy and meat, with the notable exception of seafood.

However, the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine has further destabilised already fragile agricultural markets. The Covid-19 pandemic and climate change are putting agriculture all over the world under pressure.

On 23 March, the European Commission has presented a range of short-term and medium-term actions to enhance global food security and to support farmers and consumers in the EU in light of rising food prices and input costs, such as energy and fertilisers. The surge in global commodity prices, further accelerated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, highlights again the need for EU agriculture and food supply chains to become more resilient and sustainable, in line with the Farm to Fork strategy.

The Commission is committed to taking all necessary measures to ensure that the EU, as a net food exporter and top agri-food producer, contributes to global food security, particularly in Ukraine, North Africa and the Middle East, which largely rely on imports of cereals, as well as in Asia and sub- Saharan Africa. The EU is a lead provider of humanitarian and development assistance on food and food systems.

GLOBAL SUPPORT MEASURES

• The Commission is supporting Ukraine in developing a food security strategy to ensure inputs such as seeds, diesel and fertiliser reach farms, and that transportation and storage facilities are maintained to enable Ukraine to feed its citizens.
• The EU has stepped up its support to regions and population groups most affected by food insecurity, pledging at least €2.5 billion for nutrition for 2021-2024.
• The EU will continue to advocate against export restrictions and export bans. Open and well- functioning global supply chains and logistics are essential for global food security.
• The EU will continue to support countries in the transformation towards resilient and sustainable agricultural and aquatic food systems.

Continue reading:

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_1963

More information:

Communication on safeguarding food security and reinforcing the resilience of food systems