Locust invasion: retailers answered whether to fear food shortages
31 July 14:40
Amid the spread of Asian locusts in grain-growing regions, retailers are assessing the risks to the food market. So far, there is no shortage, but in case of massive damage to the fields, the cereal harvest may decrease. Could this affect prices and availability of basic goods? Do retailers have backup scenarios?
In the southern regions of Ukraine, locusts have been invading in recent weeks. However, even in regions where the phenomenon has never been recorded, such as Rivne region, experts are already inspecting agricultural land and looking for ways to protect the harvest.
In the Kryvyi Rih district of Dnipropetrovs’k region, isolated cases of locusts have been recorded. Local residents are worried and do not rule out a massive pest invasion, which has already hit the neighboring Zaporizhzhia region. One of the farmers from the village of Velyka Dolyna captured a dozen individuals, which he said could be Asian migratory locusts. This species is capable of forming large flocks and traveling up to 300 kilometers per day.
The dangerous pest threatens crops across the country, Zaporizhzhia biologist and entomologist Mykhailo Mulenko previously explained in an exclusive commentary
“They [the locusts] don’t choose what tastes best – they eat everything: wheat, vegetables, grass, trees. But these are local stories, not mass starvation,” explains Mulenko.
Farmers who grow cereals and legumes are most affected by locusts. Also at risk are vegetable gardens, orchards, and even fields with sunflowers or potatoes. The insects actively feed in the morning and evening, moving in flocks for tens of kilometers.
Fruits and vegetables will be on the shelves, but there may be problems with cereals
The EKO MARKET supermarket chain reported that they have not yet recorded any interruptions in the supply of vegetables, fruits or other seasonal crops.
“We are in constant contact with our suppliers. Agricultural enterprises are currently carrying out preventive treatment of fields, the situation is under control. The supply of fruits and vegetables is stable, there is no reason to worry,” the company said.
At the same time, they admit that the potential risks to grain crops are real.
“Locusts eat everything they see, and of course, this dynamic can affect the cereal harvest. If we fail to contain the spread, this could lead to a decrease in harvest volumes, higher prices and a shortage of certain items on the market. It all depends on how quickly and effectively protective measures are implemented,” added ECO MARKET.
The company emphasized that it is ready to respond quickly to changes and is already working on scenarios to stabilize procurement to ensure the availability of key products regardless of weather or biological factors.
Although the emergence of Asian locusts in southern Ukraine is a cause for concern among farmers and residents, the situation is not yet critical. The effectiveness of field protection in the coming weeks will be crucial: either the problem will be localized or Ukrainians will have to face a possible rise in cereal prices and the risk of shortages.
