The Russian Federation and Ukraine are among the most important producers of agricultural commodities in theworld. Both countries are net exporters of agricultural products and are leading suppliers of foodstuffs andfertilizers to global markets, where exportable supplies are often concentrated in a handful of countries. The high concentrations could increase the vulnerability of these markets to shocks and volatility.

FAO’s Responsible Business Conduct Quarterly Bulletin (RBC-Q) shares events and resources on FAO’s activities on Responsible Global Value Chains and news from around the world related to business, risk and development in the agricultural sector. It is prepared by FAO’s Markets and Trade Division (EST). This issue of the bulletin covers the period April-June 2022, with selected items from January-March 2022.

In view of the soaring input prices,concerns about the weather, and increased market uncertainties stemming from the war in Ukraine, FAO’s latest forecasts point to a likely tightening of food markets in 2022. Meanwhile, the global food import bill is on course to hit a new record high of USD 1.8 trillion, an all-time high, almost entirely on account of higher prices. Issued twice a year, Food Outlook offers...

The annual FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) was conducted from 7 to 17 December 2021 to estimate the cereal production in South Sudan during 2021 and assess the overall food security situation in the country. The CFSAM reviewed the findings of several crop assessment missions conducted at planting and harvest time from June to December 2021 in different agroecological zones of the country. All missions were carried...

The document provides the results of a joint FAO-WFP early warning analysis of acute food insecurity hotspots, highlights countries that are at risk of significant food security deterioration, and in particular acute hunger and associated malnutrition. The analysis takes into account all major drivers of food insecurity. It provides a forward-looking perspective, outlining the likely evolution of impacts over the next three or so months aiming to inform urgent action...

In many developing countries, the tea sector contributes significantly to rural development, poverty reduction and food security, representing, in several cases, a major source of income and employment for millions of poor families. The global tea production amounts annually to over USD 17 billion, while world tea trade is valued at about USD 9.5 billion, accounting for an important source of export earnings. One key characteristic about tea is that smallholders...

Following an official request by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tajikistan on 4 May 2021, FAO and WFP carried out an abridged approach to the Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) to the country. After thorough planning and preparation, the two agencies assessed the 2021 food crop production, estimated the food import requirements for the 2021/22 marketing year and analysed the 2021 food security situation at...

An estimated 27.3 million people are facing acute food insecurity between March and May 2022. This number is projected to increase to an unprecedented 38.3 million between June and August 2022 if humanitarian interventions are not scaled up. The alarming high level of food insecurity is due to localized shortfalls in cereal production in 2021, worsening conflicts, high food prices and macroeconomic challenges compounded by the impacts of the COVID-19...

International prices of coarse grains fell in April as maize harvests in Argentina and Brazil helped ease pressure on maize markets. By contrast, wheat prices edged upwards as global supply tightness persisted amidst the significantly reduced exports from Ukraine due to war-related impacts on export supply chains. For rice, strong Asian demand and weather setbacks in the Americas drove international prices up during April. In West Africa, new record high...