Middle Eastern countries are boosting their food independence to counter the coming wheat shortfall. But despite some encouraging initiatives, existing challenges make food sovereignty almost impossible — for now.

The ongoing war in Ukraine not only caused the disruption of Russian gas and oil supplies, forcing a sharp spike in energy prices, but also cut off all Ukrainian grain exports, 95% of which pass through the ports of the Black Sea. The same is true of Russian exports of grain from the Sea of Azov.

The mobile app Tekeya provides suppliers and restaurants in Egypt with a platform to sell their surplus food at reduced prices to customers who order via the application. Meals can also be donated to charities registered on Tekeya.

According to the UN World Food Programme, the war in Ukraine is creating a local agricultural and global food supply catastrophe beyond anything seen since World War II. Some 30 percent of the world's wheat supply comes from the region, with some African and Middle Eastern countries depending on Russia or Ukraine for up to 80 percent of their wheat imports. Rabah Arezki, former chief economist for the MENA region at the World Bank, joined us on Perspective to tell us more.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has pushed food insecurity onto the table. Could an overlooked cereal help steady the situation and feed the global population in an era of climate crisis?

United Nations agencies are warning that price hikes sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine will worsen a food crisis in Africa, where tens of millions of people have already been plunged into extreme poverty by the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflicts, climate shocks and economic turmoil.

Sri Lankans told DW how they're struggling with shortages of food, fuel and medicine as the nation faces one of its worst economic crises in decades.

Argentina is struggling to deal with spiraling food inflation, driven by soaring commodity prices worldwide, the war in Ukraine and the lingering effects of the pandemic. Millions in Argentina are relying on food aid.

Top G7 diplomats meeting in Germany have warned the war in Ukraine is stoking a crisis that threatens the world's poorest. They also pledged to continue their military assistance to Ukraine for "as long as necessary."

The war in Ukraine is having a drastic impact on Africa. Prices for wheat, gas and gasoline are at record highs. Crisis regions could see things get worse than they already are.

The world is facing its worst food crisis in history. Millions of tonnes of wheat are stuck in Ukraine, worsening an already precarious situation for many countries that depend on exports from the region. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva tells FRANCE 24 Business Editor Kate Moody that only "very strong international mobilisation" will save the lives of millions of people. Also in our update from Davos: EU member states move towards an embargo on Russian oil, but with no consensus on the timeline.

Rising food and energy prices, shortages and uncertainty. Russia's war in Ukraine and its naval blockade of Ukrainian grain exports is creating a severe international crisis. DW's Thomas Sparrow explains what the West is doing to stop it.