Alarming number of people facing severe acute food insecurity in southern regions. Low harvests and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic underpin the current conditions. Immediate scaling up and extension of humanitarian response required, including assistance to farming households prior to the start of the next agricultural season.

This was the first in a series of technical webinars being organized by FAO’s Responsible Fruits project in response to the priorities and interests of participants from the private sector. The webinars will provide an opportunity for peer learning on precompetitive issues, and the identification and sharing of good practices

International dairy prices, measured by the FAO Dairy Price Index, fell slightly in June, ending 12-month of uninterrupted increases. At 119.9 points in June, the global dairy price index stood at 22 percent above its level one year ago. International quotations for all dairy products represented in the index fell in June, with butter registering the highest decline, underpinned by a faster decline in global import demand and a slight...

Concerned about business risk in avocado or pineapple supply chains? FAO can help. Global production and trade of tropical fruits have grown dramatically. Tropical fruits are a part of healthy diets for millions of people and contribute to rural and economic development in producer countries. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about sustainability (economic, environmental, and social) have shown business risks that must be addressed to ensure continued success in these...

Export prices of grains declined in June, influenced by generally good supply prospects, while international rice prices also fell as high freight costs and container shortages limited sales. In East Africa, prices of coarse grains continue at exceptionally high levels in the Sudan and South Sudan, underpinned by insufficient supplies and severe macro-economic difficulties. Prices reached new record highs in the Sudan following a further depreciation of the national currency...

FAO assesses that globally 45 countries, including 34 in Africa, 9 in Asia and 2 in Latin America and the Caribbean, are in need of external assistance for food. Conflicts and climate-related shocks continue to underpin the high levels of severe food insecurity. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily income losses, have exacerbated vulnerabilities and heightened existing levels of food insecurity.

The Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS) continuously monitors crop prospects and food security situation at global, regional, national and sub-national levels and warns of impending food difficulties and emergencies. Established in the wake of the world food crisis of the early 1970s, GIEWS maintains a unique database on all aspects of food supply and demand for every country of the world. The System regularly...

Upward pressure on international prices is diminishing, in part notably so. As of June 2021, international reference prices for maize were being quoted at an average of over 60 percent compared to June of last year. While still volatile, prices have generally fallen in recent weeks, when during May they had reached their highest level since January 2013. The rapid upward momentum in quotations culminating in May that began last year,...