By Zoila Palma: Global food inflation is expected to accelerate in the coming months and remain elevated into 2027 as war-related shipping disruptions and drought linked to El Niño threaten food supplies.
Rising costs are already forcing vulnerable families in several countries to reduce spending on essential food items, particularly in low- and middle-income nations across Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, Reuters report.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s chief economist, Maximo Torero, warned that the impact could worsen, saying, “We will see a bigger impact towards the end of the year, at the beginning of next year and potentially throughout next year.”
Several countries are already experiencing significant price increases.
Rice prices in Indonesia have reached record highs, while unsubsidized bread in Egypt has become more expensive and sugar, onions, and pulses in India have risen in price following production shortfalls.
The FAO Food Price Index averaged 136 points in September, its highest level since November 2022. Meanwhile, wheat prices have increased by more than 30 percent in 2026, while rice prices in key Asian exporting countries have risen by 10 to 13 percent.
The pressure on food prices is being driven by disruptions to grain shipments in the Black Sea, insecurity in the Red Sea, higher fuel and fertilizer costs, and reduced agricultural output due to dry weather.
Freight rates on some major shipping routes have risen by about 50 percent, adding to the cost of importing food.
Economists warn that shrinking stockpiles and renewed demand from major food-importing countries could push prices higher, increasing pressure on household budgets and raising concerns about shortages and potential social unrest
The post International News: Global food prices expected to rise as war and drought disrupt supplies appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Global food inflation is expected to accelerate in the coming months and remain elevated into 2027 as war-related shipping disruptions and drought linked to El Niño threaten food supplies. Rising costs are already forcing vulnerable families in several countries to reduce spending on essential food items, particularly in low- and middle-income nations
The post International News: Global food prices expected to rise as war and drought disrupt supplies appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
