Jordan reportedly suggests joint wheat silo with Israel as Ukraine crisis bites

Jordan has suggested establishing a joint wheat and food silo with Israel and other Middle Eastern countries as Russia's invasion of Ukraine threatens availability, according to Israel's state-run Kan news broadcaster.

The idea was raised by Jordan's King Abdullah II when he hosted Israel's President Isaac Herzog in March, Kan said on Tuesday.

Egypt and the Palestinian Authority could also be involved in the silo project, which has yet to be realised.

The nations involved in the scheme would be allowed to take wheat or other food from the collective silo should they experience shortages.

"This cooperation from the King of Jordan is very important, and that's why he raised the subject during his meeting with Herzog," anonymous Arab officials were quoted by Kan as saying.

Herzog's office refused to comment on the Kan report however.

Russia and Ukraine are major players in the wheat sector, representing more than 25 percent of global exports.

Many Middle Eastern nations are heavily reliant on Moscow and Kyiv's exports, which have plummeted since Russia invaded Ukraine in February.

Russia has been hit with heavy Western sanctions and Ukraine last month prohibited wheat, among other critical foodstuffs, from being exported.