Romania is a key part of the Black Sea breadbasket, where the rich, dark soils are perfect for growing wheat. Cargoes of grains are regularly sold to desert countries in North Africa and the Middle East, and baked into the daily bread that feeds millions.
Romania is one of the biggest sellers to Egypt, the world’s top buyer of wheat. It also supplies Jordan, South Korea and Sudan. It’s also the EU’s biggest corn exporter and a large barley supplier.’
Bread costs have a long history of kick-starting unrest and political instability. During the food price spikes of 2008 and 2011, there were food riots in more than 30 nations across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
--With assistance from Andra Timu.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.