Major multinational companies involved in agriculture have indicated that they will continue providing seed, fertilizer and will handle crops harvested in both Ukraine and Russia.

NGOs worldwide have condemned the invasion of Ukraine by Russia resulting in the humanitarian crisis and the destruction of infrastructure.  Demands to cease doing business in Russia and paying taxes to the regime to “fuel Russia’s war machine” are incorporated in a letter addressed to the management of Cargill, Inc.  The call to withdraw from Russia was echoed in an address to Congress by Ukraine President Zelensky, who is advocating extreme sanctions.

Cargill, Inc.in company with Syngenta, ADM, Inc. and Bunge, Ltd. will continue to function in Russia claiming that their activities benefit humanity and will avert a global food shortage. This opinion is supported by the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization. It is held that predicting that farmers in both Russia and Ukraine would be impacted adversely by withdrawal of western agribusiness companies.

Bayer, based in Germany, noted that it might withhold seeds for Russia if the war in Ukraine is prolonged.  Currently, the company is monitoring the situation but will be subject to pressures imposed by the government of Germany and to avoid further degradation of image that has been tarnished in recent years.

It appears that the major grain traders are communicating (read, colluding ?) to present a common message and joint action.