The Ukrainian Agri-Business club has been writing to dozens of agri companies asking them to stop operating in Russia and Belarus.

Director General Roman Slaston believes it is vital that companies stop their Russian operations in an effort to force Russia to stop its invasion of Ukraine. So far they have written to 80 global agricultural companies, asking these companies to stop operating in Russia and Belarus until the war is stopped and the occupying Russian troops are withdrawn.

Read more: Dr Keith Dawson: Defiance and heroism from farmers in Ukraine

However many feel that operating in Russia and helping them to produce food is the only way to produce enough food to feed the world. Dr Per Brodersen, director of the German Agribusiness Alliance, said many companies are continuing to work in Russia to avert world starvation. He told The Scottish Farmer that if Russia cannot grow crops then countries like Egypt, Yemen and Indonesia face starvation: "We want to make sure Russia makes enough to prevent starvation in Africa and the Middle East.”

Dr Brodersen highlighted that getting goods and spare parts to Russia will allow a flow of food to come back out. Otherwise he warned there could be a refugee crisis from African as starving people seek a better life in Europe.