Mozambican wheat importers should speed up purchases to avoid shortages due to the war between Russia and Ukraine, warned the state-owned company Silos e Terminal Graneleiro da Matola (STEMA), which stores grain in the country.

"In this context [of war], we appeal to the mills to use the traditional channels and others they know to make the imports as quickly as possible," said the president of STEMA, Arlindo Chilundo, quoted by the daily Notícias and Lusa.

Chilundo was speaking at a meeting with deputies of the Planning and Budget Commission (CPO) of the Assembly of the Republic, during a visit they made to the company's facilities.

To avoid a possible shortage of wheat and the consequent rise in the price of derivatives, such as bread, "the country must have a larger 'stock'," he added.

At this moment, he continued, Mozambique is still receiving wheat imports corresponding to orders placed last year.

"Our biggest fear is that the impact of the war [between Russia and Ukraine] will be reflected next year, since production, in those countries, is practically paralyzed," the STEMA president said.

Arlindo Chilundo pointed out that the two countries are among the largest producers of wheat in the world.

STEMA currently manages 27 silos with a total capacity of 45,000 tons.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 and the military offensive has already caused the death of more than 3,000 civilians, according to the UN, which warns that the actual number is likely to be much higher.