World food crises (2022–present)
Increase in food prices and shortages around the world / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
During 2022 and 2023 there were food crises in several regions as indicated by rising food prices. In 2022, the world experienced significant food price inflation along with major food shortages in several regions. Sub-Saharan Africa, Iran, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Iraq were most affected.[1][2][3] Prices of wheat, maize, oil seeds, bread, pasta, flour, cooking oil, sugar, egg, chickpea and meat increased.[4][5][6] Causes included disruption of supply chains due to the COVID–19 pandemic, an energy crisis (2021–2023 global energy crisis), the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and significant floods and heatwaves in 2021 which destroyed key crops in the Americas and Europe.[7] Droughts were also a factor; in early 2022, some areas of Spain and Portugal lost 60-80% of their crops due to widespread drought.[8]
Even before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, food prices were already record high. 82 million East Africans and 42 million West Africans faced acute food insecurity in 2021.[9] By the end of 2022, more than 8 million Somalis were in need of food assistance.[10] The Food and Agriculture Organization had reported 20% yearly food price increases in February 2022.[11] The war further pushed this increase to 40% in March 2022 but was reduced to 18% by January 2023.[5] Nevertheless, FAO warns that inflation of food prices will continue in many countries.[12]
Increased fuel and transport prices have worsened the complexity of food distribution. Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine was the fourth-largest exporter of corn and wheat. Since then, the Russian invasion crippled supplies. This has resulted in inflation and scarcity of these commodities in dependent countries.[13] In addition, the effects of climate change on agriculture has reduced global food reserves.[14]
This caused food riots and famine in different countries.[15][16][17][18] Furthermore,[failed verification] China acquired 50% of the world supply of wheat, 60% of rice, and 69% of corn stockpiles in the first half of 2022.[19][better source needed] The United States increased its farm production by April 2022, also contributing $215 million in development assistance plus $320 million for the Horn of Africa.[20] Germany commenced a plan to ban biofuels produced from food crops by 2030.[21] A grain agreement was signed by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations to open Ukrainian ports.[22] This resulted in grain shipment by 27 vessels from Ukraine between June and August 2022 which stalled in October and then resumed in November 2022.[23] In addition, the World Bank announced a new $12 billion fund to address the food crises.[24][25]
The World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report 2023 described food supply crises as an ongoing global risk.[26] The Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as climate-related crop failures, result in more hunger and malnutrition globally.[27] Even Global North countries known for stable food supplies have been impacted.[28] Analysts described this inflation as the worst since the 2007–2008 world food price crisis.[5] The international responses have not had much successes as of January 2023.[29] But in early 2024, the FAO reported a return to more moderate commodities market prices.[30][31] Moreover, the World Economic Forum's 2024 Global Risks Report showed significantly less concern from experts but the report still highlights a risk of the Israel–Hamas war and the return of El Niño.[32] Both of these events could disrupt supply chains again.[32]