The number of hungry people in the world could increase by 45 million, reaching 673 million.
Modern.az reports that this was stated by Alexander Maslennikov, Deputy Secretary of the Russian Security Council.
“As the conflict in the Middle East develops, attempts by foreign forces to artificially disrupt Russia's food security are not excluded. A three-month blockade of the Strait of Hormuz primarily threatens the food security of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt. The conflict with Iran creates risks for Russia's food security, while also opening up opportunities for agricultural producers. Due to events in the Middle East, European farmers are forced to switch to fertilizers from North Africa, North America, and Russia. If the conflict in the Middle East continues until summer, the largest increase in global food inflation in recent years is possible. The continuation of the crisis in the Middle East could lead to an increase in the number of hungry people in the world by 45 million, reaching a record high of 673 million. The ongoing crisis in the Middle East puts corn producers and European greenhouse farmers in the most vulnerable position in the agricultural sector,” he said.
