Conflicts and disruptions to global energy markets could push millions more people into hunger by driving up fuel, fertilizer and food costs, the head of the Rome-based International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) warned on Wednesday.
Speaking at the release of a new United Nations report on global food security, IFAD President Alvaro Lario said that rising energy prices are directly impacting the cost of agricultural inputs, making it harder for smallholder farmers in developing countries to produce food. The report, compiled by several UN agencies, estimates that up to 783 million people faced chronic hunger in 2023, with projections for 2024 and 2025 showing little improvement due to ongoing conflicts and economic shocks.
“We are seeing a perfect storm where conflicts, high energy prices, and climate shocks are converging to undo years of progress against hunger,” Lario said. He emphasized that without urgent action to stabilize energy markets and support agricultural production in vulnerable regions, the number of undernourished people could rise significantly.
The UN report highlights that the war in Ukraine, ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and parts of Africa, and volatile energy markets have disrupted global supply chains, driving up the cost of fertilizers and fuel. This has particularly affected regions like sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where food insecurity was already high.
IFAD called for increased investment in climate-resilient agriculture and social protection programs to help the most vulnerable communities adapt to rising costs and shocks. The agency also urged governments to avoid export restrictions that could further destabilize global food markets.
