Peak protectionism drives food prices and world hunger (De Tijd) 

De Tijd (the Netherlands) published an article stating that we are headed to a food security crisis. to stifle protests against rising prices, more and more countries are introducing export restrictions on food and fertilizers. But that just increases food insecurity, experts say. “Export bans are the worst possible response.” Twenty countries have imposed export bans since the start of the Ukraine invasion by Russia and subsequent war. This concerns grain and sugar from India, palm oil from Indonesia, and beef from Argentina, but also fertilizers from Russia that are crucial for food production. The export bans should help to reserve enough food for its own population, as food prices spike due to the Ukraine conflict. Uncertainty about exports from Russia and Ukraine, both major exporters of wheat, barley, and maize, among other things, boosted prices, which were already under pressure from the corona pandemic, climate change, and rising conflicts. Experts don’t think the export bans are a good idea. IFPRI researchers Joseph Glauber and David Laborde call them “a dangerous response to rising prices that will only make the situation worse.” They point to a loss of confidence in the markets and a possible chain reaction. When one country restricts grain or oil exports, a second and a third often quickly follow. Two IFPRI-created charts are highlighted in the article.