UN Sounds Alarm Over Rising Food Prices Amid Climate Crisis
The United Nations (UN) has warned of rising food prices due to climate change and energy price hikes. The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation reported that the cost of key foods increased in July, with the Food Price Index averaging 131.1 points. This represents a one percent increase compared to last year, despite slight improvements in harvests.
The main causes of this rise are attributed to recurrent heatwaves, described as a global human rights emergency, and the effects of El Niño on harvests. Additionally, growing uncertainty resulting from geopolitical tensions has disrupted global supply chains and led to an oil crisis. The FAO noted that increases in price indices included those of cereals, sugar, and vegetable oils, while price indices for meat and dairy products declined.
The cereal price index surged by 3.4 percent from June, reversing the declines seen in 2025. Global wheat prices rose by 5.8 percent due to persistent disruptions to Black Sea exports, which are linked to both heatwaves' impacts on crop yields as well as the war between Ukraine and Russia.