(Beirut) Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February has exacerbated food problems in some African and Middle Eastern countries, weighing on preparations for Ramadan, the month of Muslim fasting which begins this weekend, where tables are traditionally filled after dark.
Posted at 5:21 p.m.
Devotees who traditionally break the dawn-to-dusk fast with sumptuous family meals are now struggling to afford the basics in the face of soaring food and fuel prices.
“High prices are affecting and spoiling the atmosphere of Ramadan,” said Sabah Fatum, a resident of the Gaza Strip, under Israeli blockade, where prices have soared by as much as 11 percent, according to Palestinian authorities.
“We hear that prices will go up again during Ramadan, it’s a burden for people,” adds the 45-year-old.
Russia and Ukraine are among the world’s leading exporters of agricultural products, such as wheat, vegetable oil and corn. But the disruption of export flows resulting from the conflict between the two countries raises fears of a global hunger crisis, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.
In Yemen, the poorest country on the Arabian Peninsula and ravaged by war since 2014, the consequences are already being felt.
In the capital Sanaa, Mohsen Saleh remembers that even if the prices go up every Ramadan, “this year, they have increased in a crazy way”.
“The economic situation is very difficult. Most people in Yemen are poor and exhausted, they can no longer keep up,” sighs the 43-year-old man.
Frugal Ramadan
In Syria, the scene of a war since 2011 which has plunged around 60% of the population into food insecurity, Ramadan will be even less festive this year.
Cooking oil is sold in limited quantities and its price has more than doubled since the invasion of Ukraine.
The Syrian government, which relies heavily on Moscow for wheat imports, is also rationing wheat, sugar and rice for fear of shortages.
“I thought last Ramadan was going to be the most frugal, but it looks like this year we’re going to take out even more dishes,” said Basma Shabani, 62.
In Tunisia, charities, which are increasing the collection of food products for poor families as Ramadan approaches, are in need of donations because of the deterioration of the socio-economic situation.
“Usually we have a trolley full after an hour, this is not the case this year,” Mohamed Malek, a 20-year-old student volunteer for an association, told AFP.
“There were even people who told us ‘let’s find food for ourselves first’”, he adds.
Same situation in Lebanon, hit since 2019 by the worst economic crisis in its history.
“The strong solidarity that kicks in, especially during months like Ramadan, will be sorely tested this year,” said Bujar Hoxha, director of the NGO Care International in Lebanon.
“Hyperinflation and soaring food prices in local markets are making the long-awaited month of Ramadan difficult for many Lebanese,” he added.
“Everything becomes more expensive”
In Egypt, the top importer of Russian and Ukrainian wheat, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ordered a price cap on unsubsidized bread after its price rose 50%.
The local currency also lost 17% of its value that same month.
“If someone used to buy three kilos of vegetables, now they only buy one,” says Oum Badreya, a street vendor in West Cairo.
Somalia, battling an Islamist insurgency and suffering its worst drought in 40 years, is also preparing for a gloomy Ramadan.
Ramadan “will be very different as fuel and food prices soar,” said Mogadishu resident Adla Nour.
Even in oil-rich Saudi Arabia, many Saudis are complaining about rising prices.
“Everything is getting more expensive. I pay about 20 to 30 riyals more for the same products,” regrets Ahmad al-Assad, a 38-year-old private sector employee.
Qatar is an exception, however, and has reduced food prices before Ramadan in a symbolic gesture.
“The prices of more than 800 basic products have been reduced […] from March 23 until the holy month of Ramadan,” the Qatari Ministry of Commerce and Industry said.