Latest Update – October 31, 2022
Domestic food price inflation remains high around the world. Information between June to September 2022 shows high inflation in almost all low-income and middle-income countries; 84.2% of low-income countries, 88.9% of lower-middle-income countries, and 93% of upper-middle-income countries have seen inflation levels above 5%, with many experiencing double-digit inflation. The share of high-income countries with high food price inflation has risen to 87.5%.
The agricultural, cereal, and export price indices declined in the last two weeks by 4%, 3%, and 10%, respectively. After posting an increase two weeks earlier, wheat prices declined by 8%, driving the decline in the cereal price index, although they are 17% higher than in October 2021. Maize and rice prices remained relatively stable, closing 1 percent point lower than two weeks ago, although they are 28% and 10% higher, respectively, than in October 2021. Maize and wheat prices are 33% and 27% higher, respectively, than in January 2021, and rice prices are 13% lower.
Following the start of the war in Ukraine, trade-related policies imposed by countries have surged. The global food crisis has been partially made worse by the growing number of food trade restrictions put in place by countries with a goal of increasing domestic supply and reducing prices. As of October 21, 2022, 20 countries have implemented 25 food export bans, and eight have implemented 12 export-limiting measures.
A United Nations Conference on Trade and Development report on the Black Sea Grain Initiative indicates a rise in ship departures since the signing of the Initiative on July 22, 2022. Although shipments are still about 40% to 50% below pre-war levels, the initiative has helped reduce food prices. However, there are concerns about the threat of further disruptions to Black Sea trade if the initiative is not renewed.
Fertilizer prices fell in the third quarter of 2022 but remain at historically high levels. The decrease in prices reflects weak demand as farmers cut back fertilizer applications because of the high cost; fertilizer affordability is at its lowest since 2008/09. Increasing energy prices and policy measures, such as export restrictions, have contributed to limited global fertilizer availability.
The war in Ukraine has altered global patterns of trade, production, and consumption of commodities in ways that will keep prices at high levels through the end of 2024 exacerbating food insecurity and inflation.
High food prices have triggered a global crisis that is driving millions more into extreme poverty, magnifying hunger and malnutrition. According to a World Bank report, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a major setback in global poverty reduction. Now, rising food and energy prices fueled by climate shocks and conflict have halted the recovery.
The number of people who are experiencing acute food insecurity and will need urgent assistance is likely to climb to 222 million people in 53 countries and territories, according to a FAO-WFP report.
According to an IMF paper, $5 billion to $7 billion in further spending is needed to assist vulnerable households in 48 countries most affected by the higher food and fertilizer import prices. An additional $50 billion is required to end acute food insecurity.
World Bank Action
As part of a comprehensive, global response to the ongoing food security crisis, the World Bank Group is making up to $30 billion available over a period of 15 months in areas such as agriculture, nutrition, social protection, water and irrigation. This financing will include efforts to encourage food and fertilizer production, enhance food systems, facilitate greater trade, and support vulnerable households and producers:
- A $125 million project in Jordan aims to strengthen the development the agriculture sector by enhancing its climate resilience, increasing competitiveness and inclusion, and ensuring medium- to long-term food security.
- A $300 million project in Bolivia that will contribute to increasing food security, market access and the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices.
- A $315 million loan to support Chad, Ghana and Sierra Leone to increase their preparedness against food insecurity and to improve the resilience of their food systems.
- A $500 million Emergency Food Security and Resilience Support Project to bolster Egypt’s efforts to ensure that poor and vulnerable households have uninterrupted access to bread, help strengthen the country’s resilience to food crises, and support to reforms that will help improve nutritional outcomes.
- A $130 million loan for Tunisia, seeking to lessen the impact of the Ukraine war by financing vital soft wheat imports and providing emergency support to cover barley imports for dairy production and seeds for smallholder farmers for the upcoming planting season.
- The $2.3 billion Food Systems Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa, helps countries in Eastern and Southern Africa increase the resilience of the region’s food systems and ability to tackle growing food insecurity. The program will enhance inter-agency food crisis response also boost medium- and long-term efforts for resilient agricultural production, sustainable development of natural resources, expanded market access, and a greater focus on food systems resilience in policymaking.
Source: World Bank