Families in Africa burdened with higher food costs, hunger because of Russia's war on Ukraine

Families in Africa are seeing the price of wheat flour reach levels not seen in months as Russia continues to wage its war on Ukraine.

Most of the wheat sold in Somalia is imported from Ukraine and Russia, but exports through the Black Sea have been stopped since the Kremlin launched its invasion into its eastern European neighbor in late February. 

African countries imported 44% of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine between 2018 and 2020, according to data from the United Nations. The African Development Bank reported that the price of wheat in the continent has increased by 45%, making several wheat products more expensive for customers.

The U.N. has warned that 14 million people were suffering from severe hunger in the Horn of Africa due to a drought in the region, and that the number may only worsen in the coming months.