DISINFO: EU is the biggest beneficiary of the 'grain corridor', not the starving countries of Africa
SUMMARY
EU is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the 'grain corridor', overshadowing the countries that really need the food. The arguments of western politicians that the products were meant for the starving countries of Africa are completely unfounded: as always, they are sent to where the best price is offered.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about war in Ukraine and food security meant to deflect Russia's responsibility for a potential global food crisis and supply insecurity by claiming that most of Ukraine's grain ships are sent to rich European countries.
This false allegation goes in line with a wider pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign aiming to blame Western countries for a global food crisis in reality manufactured by Russia as part of its unjustified aggression against Ukraine.
Russia's responsibility for the global food crisis comes as a consequence of the unprovoked and unjustified Russian invasion of Ukraine: naval blockade of Ukrainian posts, bombardment of transport infrastructure and shelling of farming regions.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has destabilised global food markets and is driving food prices up due to increased cost of production, transport and freight insurance. Russia has destroyed substantial food stocks, production, as well as processing and transport capacities in Ukraine.
The EU has been at the forefront of the global response to support countries affected by food insecurity. Through the comprehensive Team Europe response, the EU and its Member States are providing around EUR 18 billion to address urgent and longer term needs (for 2021-2024). Around half of this support goes to Africa and EU’s Southern Neighbourhood, the regions most affected by the deterioration of food insecurity. Through the Team Europe response, the EU and Member States mobilised a very significant contribution of 9 billion EUR in 2022 to respond to the food crisis.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Western sanctions cause food crisis and price growth, that the food crisis has nothing to do with the Russian special operation, that Russia places no obstacles on the export of Ukrainian grain, or that Only 5% of the grain that the West exports from Ukraine goes to the poorest countries.