‘We need bread’: fears in Middle East as Ukraine war hits wheat imports

Aid agencies warn of ripple effect' as soaring wheat prices hit countries already facing inflation, food insecurity and conflict

Concerns are growing across the Middle East and north Africa that the war in Ukraine will send prices of staple foods soaring as wheat supplies are hit, potentially fuelling unrest. Russia and Ukraine supply a quarter of the world's wheat exports, while Egypt is the world's biggest importer of wheat.

In Tunisia, like many people queueing for bread in Tunis's sprawling medina, or old town, Khmaes Ammani, a day labourer, said the rising cost of living was leaving him squeezed. There's never any money at the end of the month," he said. I even have to borrow some. Everything is getting more expensive."