Rome - The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report 2025 indicates that an estimated 8.2 percent of the global population, or about 673 million people, experienced hunger in 2024, down from 8.5 percent in 2023 and 8.7 percent in 2022. However, progress has not been consistent across the globe, as hunger continued to rise in most subregions of Africa and western Asia.

In an interview with FAO Newsroom, Máximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist, explores the reasons why some regions are making strides in the fight against hunger while others continue to struggle. He sheds light on the specific challenges different regions face and shares his thoughts on effective strategies for the future. Torero also discusses the impact of food inflation, especially on low-income countries, highlighting the need for solutions that can make a difference in the lives of those who are most vulnerable.

What key points would you like to highlight from SOFI 2025?

The 2025 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report brings cautious optimism. For the second year in a row, global hunger has decreased. Around 673 million people – 8.2 percent of the global population – faced hunger in 2024, down from 8.5 percent in 2023 and 8.7 percent in 2022. This progress has been driven by notable improvements in Southern and South-Eastern Asia, as well as in South America.

But this global trend masks stark regional disparities. Hunger is rising in most subregions of Africa and in Western Asia. In 2024, Africa accounted for 307 million undernourished people – 20.2 percent of the continent’s population. If current trends continue, by 2030, the number of chronically undernourished people will be around 512 million, 60 percent of all undernourished people in the world will live in Africa. We must urgently reverse this trajectory.

Food insecurity remains widespread. About 2.3 billion people – 28 percent of the global population – faced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2024. The prevalence is declining globally but rising in Africa, underscoring the need for more targeted action.

What are the main factors contributing to success in regions like Latin America?

The situation in Latin America is diverse; while we have seen significant improvements in South America, other subregions like Central America and the Caribbean have not experienced the same level of success.

In South America, two primary factors underpin this success.

Firstly, there has been a strong focus on supporting the most vulnerable populations. Countries like Brazil and Mexico have implemented impactful social programs, including cash transfers, conditional cash transfers, and school feeding initiatives. These programs have proven to be highly effective in preventing vulnerable individuals from falling deeper into poverty through improved income distribution.

Secondly, South American nations have made substantial investments in increasing agricultural production and efficiency. Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay are leading global exporters of cereals, significantly enhancing food availability both locally and internationally. Additionally, countries like Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia have excelled in producing high-value commodities, establishing themselves as top exporters of various food items enjoyed worldwide. This combination of robust social protection measures and enhanced agricultural productivity has played a crucial role in their success.

However, the scenario is different for Central America and the Caribbean, which were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and remain highly vulnerable to climate-related events.

What are the main factors contributing to the deterioration in regions like Africa?

The situation in Africa is concerning and can be attributed to several key drivers.

Firstly, demographic pressures remain high in Africa, while agricultural productivity gains are limited. Food production simply cannot keep up with population growth in many areas.

Secondly, these regions are hit by multiple shock drivers: conflict, climate extremes, and economic downturns. These shocks interact and reinforce each other, weakening already fragile agrifood systems. Conflict zones such as Sudan and the Sahel face particularly acute challenges. Additionally, climate poses a serious threat, particularly to the most vulnerable populations. We anticipate an increase in the frequency and intensity of climate-related events, which will disproportionately affect many African nations.

Third, many African and Western Asian countries are net food importers and highly exposed to global price volatility. Currency depreciation, driven by higher global interest rates and domestic instability, has further eroded their purchasing power. As a result, food inflation has been most severe in these regions, compounding the food access crisis.

In Middle Africa, the Prevalence of Undernourishment reached 30.2 percent in 2024 – the highest in the world. Hunger has also increased in Northern, Western, and Southern Africa, and in Western Asia, where undernourishment has been rising steadily since 2015.

How can we change this trend?

We must enhance the capacity of African countries to respond to the shocks they face.

In relation to conflict, we need to implement policies aimed at accelerating income growth. By creating more economic opportunities, we can reduce the likelihood of conflict arising.

Moreover, improving the macroeconomic conditions in the region is essential. This includes working intensively on debt reduction. Access to the global financial system is limited, and when available, it often comes at high costs, leaving them without sufficient resources to cover food imports. Strengthening macroeconomic stability and fostering economic growth are crucial steps.

Finally, it is vital to build resilience to climate shocks. This involves preparing for future challenges, such as developing early warning systems and insurance tools that can help mitigate the impact of unforeseen events.

In summary, we need to act on multiple fronts:

Invest in sustainable agricultural productivity, particularly in nutritious foods that are still unaffordable for many – like fruits, vegetables, and pulses.Scale up climate resilience, with early warning systems, insurance tools, and climate-smart technologies.Strengthen economic resilience, especially among the most vulnerable. This includes addressing debt burdens and improving access to affordable finance.Integrate humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding policies in areas affected by conflict.

How can we increase resilience?

Increasing resilience can be approached through two main strategies.

Firstly, preparedness is key. Establishing early warning systems and insurance mechanisms will allow countries to anticipate and respond effectively to shocks.

Secondly, we must enhance our capacity to respond to these challenges when they occur. Drawing lessons from Latin America, we recognize that robust social protection systems can significantly bolster resilience. The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty is focused on promoting best practices and coordinating investments to implement effective policies at the country level.

Additionally, we need to enhance production capabilities to ensure that agricultural commodities are resilient to climate shocks. This requires the integration of technology, innovation, and scientific advancements into agricultural practices.

Lastly, we must consider trade dynamics. Recent events, such as the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic, have underscored the necessity for countries to diversify their production and import portfolios. It is crucial to avoid extremes – either completely halting exports or solely relying on them. Achieving a balance between imports and locally produced goods, particularly where countries hold a comparative advantage, is essential for enhancing resilience.

What is the main impact of global food price spikes, and what can be done to prevent future spikes?

When examining food prices, we must differentiate between commodity prices (such as rice, wheat, and maize) and the food prices consumers encounter at local markets or supermarkets. SOFI 2025 indicates that food inflation has risen significantly faster than overall inflation, meaning that food prices are increasing more rapidly than non-food prices.

This trend has serious implications, particularly for the poorest populations, who spend a larger portion of their income on food. Rising food prices can lead to decreased consumption, which adversely impacts their well-being and can even influence electoral outcomes.

Interestingly, although commodity prices for staples like wheat and rice have declined after the COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine, this decrease has not been reflected in consumer food prices, particularly in low-income countries. In some cases, food prices have remained unchanged, showing a lag in the transmission of lower commodity prices to final consumer prices. This occurs because the cost of food includes various factors beyond just the price of commodities, such as energy and water.

Our estimates show that a 10 percent increase in food prices leads to a 3.5 percent rise in food insecurity and a 2.7 to 4.3 percent increase in child wasting. These are not just economic effects –they are human tragedies with long-term implications.

To address this issue, we need to focus on the structure of food markets to facilitate faster transmission of commodity price reductions to food prices. Increasing competition among suppliers is vital to mitigate risks associated with disruptions, such as those experienced during the pandemic or geopolitical conflicts. Expanding the number of major cereal and high-value commodity producers can enhance availability and stability in food supply.

Moreover, we must evaluate government policies and consider repurposing agricultural support. Currently, much of this support is directed toward less nutritious commodities, contributing to higher costs. By prioritizing investments that promote healthier diets, we can work to reduce these costs.

Investment strategies should also focus on enhancing the efficiency of public investments while fostering coordinated efforts among international financial organizations and development banks.

Additionally, attracting private finance is essential. Government funding and international financial institutions alone will not suffice; we must also encourage private investment, particularly in climate financing within agrifood systems.

In summary, a comprehensive approach that includes improving market structures, repurposing agricultural support, and attracting diverse investments is essential for transforming agrifood systems, enhancing food availability, and reducing the cost of healthy diets globally.

In summary, the SOFI report identifies several lessons:

Targeted fiscal support is essential. Cash transfers and food subsidies should be directed to the most vulnerable, be time-bound, and have clear exit strategies.Avoiding trade restrictions and maintaining market functionality helps keep supplies stable and prices in check.Coordinated monetary and fiscal policies build macroeconomic resilience and maintain investor confidence.Strong agricultural market information systems reduce panic and speculation by improving transparency.Robust institutions and policy frameworks enable governments to respond swiftly and effectively.We must address market structure. More competition among suppliers and fewer trade bottlenecks can speed up the transmission of lower commodity prices to consumers. We also need to repurpose agricultural support toward nutritious foods and sustainable practices.Finally, we need more investment – public, private, and blended. Governments and international institutions can’t do it alone. Mobilizing climate finance for agrifood systems is essential.