Global Food Crisis: Inflation Persists Amid Climate and Supply Challenges 

As of April 2025, global food prices remain elevated, continuing a trend that began with the COVID-19 pandemic. The FAO Food Price Index stood at 127.1 in March, marking a 6.9% increase compared to the same period last year, although still 20.7% below its peak in March 2022 . 

Climate change is a significant driver of this sustained inflation. Extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, have disrupted agricultural production worldwide. For instance, cocoa and coffee prices have doubled over the past year due to higher-than-average rainfall and temperatures in key producing regions . Moreover, rising temperatures could increase food inflation by up to 3.2 percentage points annually by 2035 .  

In Brazil, the situation is particularly acute. Food and beverage prices have risen by 7.25% over the past 12 months, outpacing the overall inflation rate of 4.56% . This surge is attributed to both climate-related factors and increased export demand. 

The ongoing food inflation disproportionately affects low-income populations, especially in developing countries, where a larger share of income is spent on food. Without significant interventions to address climate change and stabilize supply chains, food prices are likely to remain volatile, posing a continued threat to global food security.