WTO urges countries not to stop or limit food exports
World Trade Organization Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala speaking in Davos, Switzerland, May 25 – Photo: REUTERS
“We are calling on member countries not to ban or restrict exports Food. We don’t want shortages to worsen and lead to price spikes,” AFP news agency quoted Okonjo-Iweala as saying at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, May 25, now. local.
The WTO leadership’s call came on the same day as India’s announcement to limit sugar exports to 10 million tonnes in the fiscal year to September 2022.
According to New Delhi, the above decision is aimed at “maintaining domestic sugar and stabilizing prices during this year’s sugar season”. Earlier, India also banned the sale of wheat to foreign markets.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has disrupted the supply of fertilizer, wheat and other commodities from these two countries to the world.
As a result, “there are currently about 22 countries with 41 export restrictions or export bans Foodnot to mention export restrictions on fuel inputs, seeds and fertilizers,” said Okonjo-Iweala.
The WTO hopes that the agency’s public oversight of such controls will prevent member countries from making decisions that are detrimental to the international community.
“For security reasons Foodcountries can implement restrictive measures for a certain period of time, but this decision is only temporary and must be transparent and balanced,” the WTO leader emphasized.
In addition, the WTO’s director general said that United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is “participating” in negotiations on opening transport corridors through the Black Sea so that Ukrainian food exports can reach the market. international.
“Without these safe corridors, the crisis will drag on for another year or two,” it said Guardian quoted Okonjo-Iweala as warning.
Credit rating company Fitch Solutions said the number of countries banning or restricting exports is higher than the 22 countries listed by WTO leaders.
About 30 countries have implemented restrictions on food exports since the war in Ukraine began, said Sabrin Chowdhury, head of commodities at Fitch Solutions.
Ms. Chowdhury warned that agricultural protectionism was at its highest level since the 2007 and 2008 food price crisis.
“Protectionism is certain to continue in 2022 and intensify in the coming months, further increasing food security risks to the world’s most vulnerable regions,” Ms Chowdhury said.
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