FAO is in the news for tackling the global hunger crisis amid conflicts and rising food prices. Founded in 1945, it leads UN efforts to end hunger and improve food security worldwide.
Rising coffee costs in the U.S., up 18.3% in January and 47% over five years, are prompting consumers to cut back, switch to cheaper options, or quit coffee altogether. Climate issues and import costs drive prices, impacting daily routines and habits nationwide.
In early March 2026, Indigenous groups in Brazil successfully forced the government to revoke a decree privatizing Amazonian rivers after occupying a Cargill grain terminal in Para. This victory protects the Tapajós River from dredging projects that threatened Indigenous territories and the rainforest. Meanwhile, in Rondonia, the birth of a boy to the nearly extinct Akuntsu tribe offers hope for their survival amid ongoing deforestation.
Global food prices increased in March, reaching their highest since September 2025, driven by energy costs and crop concerns linked to the US-Israeli conflict on Iran. The FAO warns prolonged conflict could reduce future yields and impact supply.
Since the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz has escalated, global food prices have begun to rise, driven by disruptions to shipping, fertiliser, and fuel supplies. Experts warn that ongoing delays will force higher costs and threaten food security, especially in vulnerable regions, over the coming months.
The 2026 Global Report on Food Crises finds that 266 million people across 47 countries face high levels of acute food insecurity in 2025, nearly double the share in 2016. Conflict, climate, and economic instability drive the crisis, with famine confirmed in Gaza and Sudan. Funding declines threaten aid efforts.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East and tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran are disrupting global fertilizer trade flows. This crisis is affecting food production, especially in Africa and Australia, as supply chains are strained, prices rise, and farmers face shortages. The situation is expected to worsen if conflicts persist.