Germany's major food retailers have announced price increases, as sales of cooking oil and flour have risen sharply in response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The German government and industry bodies advised consumers against panic buying, as the basic supply is sufficient. Meanwhile, Germany and the EU have also taken steps to address future food supply risks.

Russia and Ukraine are the world's leading grain exporters. Ukraine is also a major global producer of cooking oil, especially sunflower oil. More than 90 percent of the sunflower oil sold in Germany is imported, with the vast majority coming from Ukraine.

In fact, German commodity prices had already been rising even before the conflict, as a result of higher energy costs.