According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), El Nino could push nearly 50 million people into acute hunger by the end of this year.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the EU’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) have also warned that climate change is threatening summer and winter crops, raising the risk of tighter supplies and higher food prices.
Updated FAO data showed the global cereal price index rose 3.4% in one month. Wheat prices climbed 5.8% on concerns over disruptions to Black Sea exports and extreme weather in major producing countries. Corn prices rose 3.6% amid hot, dry conditions in the United States, while sugar prices gained 5.6% due to prolonged heat in the European Union and El Nino’s impact in Asia.
Falling water levels have also disrupted key waterways such as the Danube and Rhine, further raising the risk of supply chain disruptions.
