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France fears North Africa may face famine due to Ukrainian crisis

Egypt, Morocco, and Lebanon fully depend on supplies from the Russian Federation and Ukraine, Julien Denormandie noted

PARIS, March 15./TASS/. French Minister for Agriculture and Food Julien Denormandie has raised concerns that a famine could potentially hit North African countries as a result of the conflict in Ukraine.

Speaking to France Inter radio, the minister maintained that France will be the least affected country, because for a long time it has been relying on food independence. "But I am very worried about what will happen globally," Denormandie said. "Today, a risk does exist that we will see a famine, specifically in North Africa and in the Middle East," the French minister predicted.

"Currently, Russia exports more grain than Europe. Egypt, Morocco, and Lebanon fully depend on supplies from the Russian Federation and Ukraine," he explained. "This then begs the question: how will these countries provide bread for themselves? For Egypt, for example, this is a fundamental problem," the food minister went on to say.

Earlier, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed an order imposing a temporary ban on grain exports to Eurasian Economic Union nations and sugar to third countries. The grain restrictions will be in place until June 30, while the sugar restrictions will remain in effect until August 21, 2022. The grain ban applies to wheat, meslin, rye, barley and corn.

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France North Africa

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