The war between Russia and Ukraine, the world's two main producers of wheat, has led to a severe shortage of wheat in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa. After India and China, Russia has the highest yield of wheat and Russia is the largest exporter of wheat in the world. Ukraine is one of the world's 5 largest exporters of wheat. The Middle East and North Africa get the most wheat from Ukraine and Russia. The war has severely affected this business and there has been a huge problem of wheat in the importing countries. Karabekir Akoyunlu, a professor of Middle East politics at the SoAS of The University of London, told Al Jazeera that if the war in Ukraine drags on long, it would affect Ukraine's wheat crop. "The wheat crop starts in July and this year's yield is expected to be very good. If the situation is normal, there will be an abundant supply of wheat in the global market, but if the war in Ukraine drags on for a long time, the wheat crop in the country can be affected. This will also affect global supplies."

In response to the Russian attack on Ukraine, Western countries have banned some Russian banks from the international SWIFT banking system. This will affect Russia's exports and wheat exports. Prof. Karabekir said that the food supply chain is already affected due to the corona infection epidemic and the prices are touching record levels, the situation will be worse due to the war. The same Middle East countries import the wheat they need from Ukraine and Russia. Turkey produces half of its requirements in the country itself. It buys 85% of its wheat imports from Turkey, Russia and Ukraine. According to data from Turkey's Statics Institute, turkey imported wheat from Ukraine at record levels in the year 2021. Prof. Karabekir said, "The Turkish government says it will increase its domestic production of wheat to meet the shortage of wheat. But still, it will lead to a sharp increase in wheat prices in Turkey."

Turkey is already suffering from economic hardship and its currency, the lira, has seen a sharp decline. Food prices in Turkey are skyrocketing and bread, the main food of the people, has become very expensive. Common people are not able to buy expensive bread due to which the government is giving bread at cheaper rates to the general public. But with the impact on the import of wheat, it will be more difficult for individuals to buy bread and the government will also be unable to give cheaper bread to the general public," said Professor Karabeckir, adding, "There are also elections in Turkey this year, the lack of wheat will put more pressure on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan." Erdogan's government is already lagging behind opposition parties in many opinion polls." Many countries in the Middle East and North Africa are already reeling under economic hardship. Rising prices at the global level have already broken the backs of these countries. Now, due to the Ukraine-Russia war, the import of wheat will also be affected, which will put these countries in serious danger.

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