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World Trade Organisation (WTO) has expressed concern about  trade implications of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, especially trade in agriculture and food products.

Director General Okonjo Iweala the organisation has watched the tragedy in Ukraine unfold with disbelief and hope that it would have been peacefully resolved. 

“However, this is now the 7th day and we are deeply saddened by the continued suffering and loss of life. We pray that there will be a peaceful and quick resolution,” she said in a statement.

She added: “We are also concerned about the trade implications of the conflict, especially trade in agriculture and food products and the rise in energy prices and their effects on the impacted populations.”

WTO in 2020 reported that despite pandemic disruption, trade in agricultural products, especially cereals and oilseeds was more resilient than overall trade, with agri-food exports increasing by 2.5 per cent during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. 

Now, the Ukraine-Russia tension is threatening this gradual pick up with Kenya suffering a double blow considering that the country is a net importer of food.