Commenting on India’s decision to ban wheat exports after the recent heat wave, German Agriculture Minister Jim Ozdemir stressed that “if everyone starts imposing such restrictions on exports or even closing markets, it will only exacerbate the crisis and harm India” and its farmers. .

After meeting with his G7 counterparts in Stuttgart, he urged India to “assume its responsibilities as a member of the G20”, noting that “we have decided to drop export restrictions and we call for keeping markets open”.

On Saturday, India, the world’s second-biggest wheat producer, banned exports without special government permission, raising concerns about global grain supplies.

Noting that Russia’s war with Ukraine, which began on February 24, had severely affected agricultural activity in that country, which was the world’s fourth largest exporter of corn before the war and was to become the third largest exporter of wheat. Due to the blockade of the country’s ports, about 20 tons of grain are expected to be exported in granaries, and this year’s harvest is under threat.