Understanding the environmental impact of the entire tea value chain can help identify hotspots for improving and designing sustainable solutions to enable the sector to play its part in the transformative process needed to transit into greener agrifood systems. The objective of this document is to propose a methodology to measure the carbon footprint of the tea sector, and examine the data requirements and some other critical aspects in relation...

This document describes the evolution of global patterns of tea trade between 2005 and 2020. Based on a network analytical approach, it is shown that most countries traded tea with more partners in 2020 compared with 2005. Especially on the export side, the structure of the tea trade network appears to have undergone some decentralization, in which trade became relatively less concentrated in individual trade hubs.

The Monthly Price Update is an information product provided by the oilseeds desk of the Markets and Trade Division of FAO. It reviews the development of international prices for oilseeds, oils and meals as reflected by FAO’s price indices. In April 2024, the FAO price indices for oilseeds and oilmeals both declined for the fifth consecutive month, whereas the vegetable oil price index marginally strengthened from the previous month. While...

This quarterly bulletin features agricultural trade policy changes in the region. It provides current trade measures, agreements, statistics and articles by experts covering trade-related issues in countries across the region, and it is sent to members of the Agricultural Trade Expert Network. The network connects experts from Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia as part of the FAO’s Regional Initiative 2 in Europe and Central Asia “Transforming food systems and...

Global wheat export prices stabilized in April 2024 after declining for three consecutive months, while maize prices increased month‑on-month. International rice prices declined by 1.8 percent in April, largely due to harvest pressure. In most countries monitored by FAO, staple food prices remained at historically high levels in March and April 2024. In many countries, macroeconomic difficulties and high food distribution costs continue to drive elevated prices of both domestically...

Avocados, like other tropical fruits, are susceptible to food loss and waste due to their high moisture content and perishable nature. Factors including climate change, inadequate infrastructure and handling during harvesting, packaging and transportation increase the risk of food loss, impacting fruit supply and quality. Embracing strategies to reduce losses and maximize the use of non-marketable and damaged avocado fruit and residues is a win-win for businesses and global sustainability...

The 13th Ministerial Conference of the WTO (MC13) took place from 26 February to 2 March 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Conference was chaired by the Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the host country. Agriculture and fisheries subsidies were once more at the centre of the deliberations, but no concrete outcome was possible due to differences and divergence of positions among Members

Weather extremes between November 2023 and March 2024 resulted in massive livestock deaths, especially in eastern and central parts of the country. Livelihoods of most herders have been affected, warranting the urgent need for humanitarian assistance to prevent a severe deterioration of their food security situation. Domestic prices of basic food staples have reached very high levels, constraining access to food for most vulnerable households.

The April issue of the publication summarizes the salient trends and drivers of market developments and significant public policy changes in 2023. The review shows that world meat production increased in 2023, reflecting production increases across all meat types, driven by favourable production conditions in some producing regions. The review also illustrates that international trade in meat products contracted, reflecting increased national production and high inventories in leading importing countries...

El Niño-linked drought has caused widespread crop damage and wilting in Southern Africa, with 2024 harvests expected at below-average levels. Import requirements forecast to increase steeply and supplies likely to be sourced from outside of the Southern African region. The number of acutely food insecure people is expected to escalate in 2024/25.