Ukraine, a major wheat exporter, will be unable to harvest or sow this year due to the invasion?

Recently CNN.co.jp reported the following:

小麦の輸出大国ウクライナ、侵攻で今年の収穫や種まき不可能か

2022.04.02 Sat posted at 14:30 JST

（ＣＮＮ） 世界で最大級の小麦輸出国であるウクライナがロシア軍の侵攻を受け、小麦の収穫や備蓄していた分の輸出が今年、不可能となる可能性が非常に高いことが２日までにわかった。

フランス大統領府筋が明らかにした。国内での戦闘続行や農業従事者の手当てが出来ず、収穫や来年の作物につながる種まきの開始が非常に困難な状況になっているとした。「ウクライナ１国が世界の食糧市場のバランスを取る上での要になっている状況」とも述べた。

ウクライナ政府は３月初め、小麦、トウモロコシ、穀物、塩や肉を含む主要な農産物の輸出禁止を閣議決定した。

国連食糧農業機関（ＦＡＯ）は先月１１日、軍事侵攻によりウクライナ内の穀物の取り入れや輸出に支障が出る可能性を警告。同時に、戦闘やロシア産品に対する西側諸国の経済制裁の影響で価格上昇が起きるとも警戒していた。

米農務省によると、侵攻が起きる前のウクライナの年間の小麦輸出量は新記録に達する基調にあった。半面、ロシアの小麦輸出は減速していた。

仏大統領府筋は特に、ウクライナから中東諸国への穀物輸出が停滞していることの悪影響に懸念を示した。

Translation

2022.04.02 Sat posted at 14:30 JST

  (CNN) Ukraine, one of the world's largest wheat exporters, had been invaded by Russian troops, as such it was understood that the exporting of wheat harvested and stockpiled was very likely impossible this year.

A source from the French presidential office revealed this. It was said that because the fighting in the country continued and the care from the agricultural workers was not available, it was very difficult to start harvesting and sowing seeds that might lead to next year's crops. It was said that "Ukraine is at the key cornerstone in getting the world's food markets balancing ".

In early March, the Ukrainian government passed a cabinet decision to ban the export of major agricultural products, including wheat, corn, grains, salt and meat.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warned on the 11th of last month that a military invasion could hinder the uptake and export of grains in Ukraine. At the same time, it was wary of rising prices due to the effects of fighting and economic sanctions on Russian products in Western countries.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, Ukraine's annual wheat exports were on the trend of reaching new records before the invasion. On the other hand, Russia's wheat exports were slowing.

French presidential sources were particularly concerned about the negative effects of stagnant grain exports from Ukraine to Middle Eastern countries.

              So, the exporting of wheat harvested and stockpiled will be impossible in Ukraine this year because the fighting in the country and it is very difficult to start sowing seeds that will lead to next year's crops. Obviously, Russia’s territorial ambition has a serious impact on food supply globally.