Global hunger increases sharply on higher food inflation

This year, as many as 1bn people, or one in eight globally, have had severe difficulty obtaining food and skip meals as a result.After a decade of consistent development gains, global hunger has increased sharply in recent years with domestic food price inflation remaining high around the world.Information from the latest month between February and May this year for which food price inflation data are available shows high inflation in most low- and middle-income countries, with inflation higher than 5% in in 61.1% of low-income countries, 79.1% of lower-middle-income countries, and 70% of upper-middle-income countries, with many experiencing double-digit inflation.In addition, 78.9% of high-income countries are experiencing high food price inflation, according to the World Bank.The most-affected countries are in Africa, North America, Latin America, South Asia, Europe, and Central Asia.In real terms, food price inflation exceeded overall inflation in 79.8% of the 163 countries where data is available, the World Bank noted.The agricultural and cereal price indices closed 4% and 12% lower, respectively, while export price indices closed at the same level as two weeks ago.This month’s edition of the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) Market Monitor highlights geopolitical tensions that threaten the Black Sea Grain Initiative, including the collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam and damage to the ammonia pipeline between Russia and Ukraine.The flooding and disruption of irrigation, along with the demand to reopen the pipeline, are increasing tensions and could lead to termination of the agreement, ultimately reducing Black Sea exports and undermining Ukraine’s production incentives.On June 6, the catastrophic collapse of the Kakhovka dam in southeastern Ukraine resulted in extensive flooding, posing a threat to drinking water supplies and raising concerns for agricultural areas that rely on the reservoir for irrigation.The Kakhovka dam and reservoir are crucial for agriculture, providing water through major irrigation canals to more than 500,000 hectares of farmland.The reservoir irrigates vast croplands that produce grains, oilseeds, vegetables, and fruits. The dam’s collapse has caused significant flooding downstream, affecting more than 40,000 hectares of land and numerous towns and villages.Although the flooded agricultural area is relatively small, disconnection of the irrigation canals upstream has led to water scarcity for summer and winter crops, with implications for Ukraine’s agricultural exports.The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development–Food and Agriculture Organisation (OECD-FAO) Agricultural Outlook 2023-2032 highlighted the threat to global food security from the surge in agricultural input prices in recent years.One of the key concerns raised in the report is global food insecurity resulting from the surge in agricultural input prices in recent years. The outlook suggests that rising fertiliser costs can lead to higher food prices.Addressing global hunger requires a comprehensive approach that includes not only providing immediate humanitarian aid but also addressing the underlying issues of poverty, inequality, climate change, and conflict.Sustainable solutions involve promoting agricultural innovation, investing in infrastructure, empowering vulnerable communities, and implementing policies to reduce food waste and ensure equitable access to nutritious food for all!