Impact

High food prices are a matter of daily struggle for more than 2 billion people. High prices threaten to increase malnutrition, already an underlying cause of death in over 3.5 million children a year.

  • Between 130 and 155 million people have fallen into poverty in the last 2 years
  • Prices are expected to stay high through 2015

Africa

21 of 36 countries in a food security crisis are in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to FAO. The region imports 45% of its wheat and 84% of its rice.

  • West Africa, the Horn of Africa, and fragile states are especially vulnerable
  • Weather-related shocks and civil strife worsen the impact in some countries

Asia

Most countries in South Asia are net food importers and have suffered severe trade shocks.

  • A 2 kg bag of rice now costs half the daily income of a poor family in Bangladesh

In Indonesia, a 10% rise in rice prices means 2 million more people will be plunged into poverty, according to a recent assessment.