The United Nations has issued a stark warning: food inflation has deeply damaged food security, especially in low-income countries already struggling with high poverty rates. Between 2021 and 2023, global food prices surged over 35 percent. Meanwhile, average economic inflation remained at 25 percent. This significant gap affects basic survival.
According to UN analysis shared during a high-level event at ECOSOC’s forum, food inflation outpaced headline inflation. This trend lasted for nearly four consecutive years.
A PERFECT STORM OF GLOBAL SHOCKS DRIVES FOOD PRICE VOLATILITY
The inflation crisis stems from overlapping global shocks. These include the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and intensified climate-related disasters.
Soaring energy costs increased global supply chain disruptions. Loose monetary policy and massive fiscal spending also contributed. These factors fueled sharp increases in food prices. While inflation eased slightly by 2024, long-term effects persist. Many vulnerable communities still face high consumer prices, despite falling global commodity rates.
LOW-INCOME COUNTRIES BEAR THE HEAVIEST BURDEN
Food inflation peaked at 30 percent in low-income countries by May 2023—more than double the global average—impacting over 1.5 billion people.
At the crisis peak, 65 percent of low-income nations faced food inflation above 10 percent. This put essential nutrition out of reach for millions. Studies show a 10 percent price increase leads to a 3.5 percent rise in food insecurity and 1.8 percent in severe hunger across poor nations.
GENDER AND STRUCTURAL INEQUITIES WORSEN FOOD INSECURITY
Existing inequalities, especially gender-based disparities, have amplified the crisis. Women and marginalized groups face greater barriers to nutrition and household food access. Many women earn less and have less control over household income. Because of this, rising prices hit them disproportionately hard in communities that are already strained.
Persistent inequality, weak infrastructure, and poor policy implementation hinder recovery efforts. They limit nutritional access for the most vulnerable populations.
UN’S SOFI 2025 REPORT WILL RECOMMEND KEY POLICY RESPONSES
The State of Food Security and Nutrition (SOFI) 2025 report, to be released July 28, will outline actionable, coordinated global responses to food inflation.
According to FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, nations must address both demand and supply chains and build long-term resilience in agrifood systems. The report will recommend fiscal tools, such as social protection programs, along with transparent monetary policies to control inflation without suppressing food supply growth.
INVESTMENT IN AGRIFOOD INFRASTRUCTURE AND INNOVATION IS CRITICAL
SOFI 2025 will call for strategic investments in agricultural research, transport, market systems, and productivity infrastructure to withstand future price shocks.
Improved market information systems will help producers respond to volatility more efficiently and ensure faster, more accurate pricing along the value chain. These structural investments are essential to ensure food security amid increasing climate volatility and global economic uncertainty.
COORDINATED POLICY ACTION IS NO LONGER OPTIONAL
The global food inflation crisis is not just economic—it’s a humanitarian emergency. Low-income countries cannot recover without immediate, coordinated international support.
Without sustained investment and structural reform, food inequality will continue rising. Urgent policy action is needed to protect lives and secure long-term food access.