Ukraine, with its fertile plains, is a major exporter of food.

Among other considerations, the war in Ukraine is preventing the timely export of much of Ukraine’s agricultural production, as well as interfering with the planting of this year’s crop.

In addition to indiscriminately destroying farms, Russia is said to be stealing farm machinery and crops, with some reportedly being diverted to Syria and elsewhere.

All this is putting pressure on the world’s food supply and food prices.

At risk are the millions who primarily rely on Ukrainian food in the Middle East, Eastern Africa, and Asia.

Russia is rightly being criticized for causing this sad state of affairs, to which Russia’s government retorts that it is Ukraine’s fault. The implication being that if Ukraine had capitulated and let Russia have its way, all would be fine. It is like a child killing his parents and blaming the murder on the fact that he is an orphan.

One thing some countries, such as the United States, Canada and Brazil — to name a few — could do to ease the situation would be to stop using food to produce fuel, most notably ethanol.

In 2007, the United States decided to substantially increase the production and use of ethanol for use as an additive to gasoline. In the United States, the main ingredient for this ethanol is corn.

At the time, one of the few world leaders to oppose this move was Fidel Castro. His criticism was simple: what will the poor eat if corn is used for fuel?

In light of a precarious food supply, brought about by numerous factors and exacerbated by the Russian-Ukraine war, it is time to ask ourselves whether the use of food to power our SUVs and other vehicles is wise.