The price of a pint of lager in Britain is set to rocket because of Russia ’s invasion of Ukraine, a Ukrainian MP has warned.
Fish and chips’ prices are also tipped to climb thanks to Vladimir Putin ’s war, while riots could also break out in Egypt as food costs soar, according to Odessa MP Alex Goncharenko - a key ally of President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He said the impact of the war will be felt by UK beer drinkers this summer because his country is unable to export key ingredients.
The MP called for the Royal Navy to police a deal allowing grain exports from Black Sea ports.
Speaking to reporters on the margins of the NATO Summit in Madrid, he added: “Already people in the whole world are feeling the result of this blockade, when some man in London is ordering fish and chips, chips are fried in Ukrainian sunflower oil of which 30% of the world’s export is Ukrainian.
“Now it has disappeared.
“Beer is made from Ukrainian barley - Ukraine is the number four exporter in the world of barley, and for Europe almost number one. It means that he will pay more for his fish and chips and beer.”
He said Egypt receives 80% of its wheat from Ukraine and Russia.
“It means we will have social unrest, we will have a new wave of refugees, we will have millions of people starving,” warned Mr Goncharenko.
“Putin is acting just like a terrorist, he has taken hundreds of millions of people as hostages by starving them.”
He called for a deal between the West, Turkey and Russia to allow freight ships to access Black Sea ports and release crops.
“For example, today Russia is exporting millions of barrels of oil everyday through the Bosphorus - it can be said to them for humanitarian reasons, ‘Either your oil and Ukrainian grain is coming or nothing is coming,” he said.
“That would be absolutely just and clear and it can be done without any military operations, no risk of military attacks.”
He believed oil should be used as “leverage” to force the Kremlin to “open the Black Sea”.
He said he would back a pact as long as it did not include easing sanctions on Moscow.
Mr Goncharenko suggested the Royal Navy could be brought in to monitor shipments.
“It can be members of the Security Council of the United Nations, it can be the United Kingdom because the United Kingdom is a member of the Security Council and a great navy country with a great history, and also today,” he insisted.
“The United Kingdom can play a major role here.
“The UK Government tries to be active here, I hope very much that it will be resolved.”
Key shipping routes in the Black Sea have been mined, making it difficult for vessels to sail in and out of Ukrainian ports.
The blockade has hampered exports of Ukrainian goods, including grain and barley.
Industry figures echoed fears about the impact on beer prices.
British Beer & Pub Association chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “In recent months, our brewers have reported difficulties with obtaining key ingredients and raw materials due to numerous supply chain issues, including the war in Ukraine.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and working alongside businesses and government to help ensure disruption is minimised.”
Campaign for Real Ale chairman Nik Antona said: "This is an incredibly difficult time across the board and Camra and our members stand with the people of Ukraine.
“As an organisation, we're aware that consumers and businesses alike are struggling with rising costs of goods and a huge squeeze on the cost of living, at a time when many pubs and breweries are trying to get back on their feet post-pandemic.”
Campaign for Pubs campaign director Greg Mulholland said: “The impact of rising prices of grain and the serious supply problems are putting pressure on small brewers and on publicans. “At the same time consumers are facing the cost-of-living crisis, pubs and breweries are also seeing soaring energy prices and rising product prices which is pushing up the price of a pint and making it difficult for some people to continue to afford to go to the pub.
“The Government needs to realise that pubs and many small brewers are still recovering from the loss of trade from the Covid pandemic and lockdowns and further support is needed to allow pubs to get through the cost-of-living crisis and keep serving their communities.”
