It’s not just Americans who will pay the price of more expensive imports.

From a small barrel hoisted onto a platform, gravity pushes water into a zero-energy cooling chamber built of porous bricks and filled with sand.

01 August 2025

Forests act as a critical safety net for millions of smallholder farmers across developing countries, providing essential resources that sustain rural…

Ethiopia and Brazil strengthen cooperation in agriculture and food security, discussing potential partnerships for climate change mitigation.

The UN spokesperson said Cindy McCain is leaving as World Food Program executive director and that Carl Scow will be acting director; the secretary‑general and FAO director‑general will jointly lead the selection process and shortlists will not be shared publicly.

Background The conventional food self-sufficiency ratio (CFSSR), which primarily focuses on grains, fails to capture the full spectrum of daily food consumption. This limitation reduces its effectiveness in cross-country comparisons and global food security assessments. In response to this issue, a new indicator termed the supply-side food self-sufficiency ratio (SSFSSR) has been proposed to encompass a broad range of food products and capture the entire food supply chain. The SSFSSR aims to provide a comprehensive and practical framework for assessing food self-sufficiency at the global level. Its calculation draws on multiple data sources, including FAOSTAT, the FAO’s Food Balance Sheets, statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), as well as original farm-level survey data collected by the author. Results The SSFSSR is calculated based on the total quantity of food available for domestic consumption, taking into account production, trade, and losses while eliminating double counting. Secondary products such as meat, dairy, and oils are converted into their primary equivalents using primary product conversion rates (PPCRs). Based primarily on 2021 data, the SSFSSR was estimated for over 180 countries, with an average value of 58.8%. A comparison with the CFSSR was conducted under consistent conditions. The SSFSSR demonstrated broader coverage across both food categories and countries, and showed stronger correlations with major food security indicators, such as food availability and caloric adequacy. The results also suggest that reducing dependence on secondary products—and thereby lowering PPCRs—can improve national food self-sufficiency. Conclusions The findings support the validity and applicability of the SSFSSR. Further refinement will require more accurate data on calorie content per unit weight and the expansion of reliable PPCR values for a wider range of food products, which would enhance the index’s precision and policy relevance.

A lawmaker told the council that conflict is driving a global food crisis — affecting hundreds of millions — and urged immediate implementation of resolution 24 17, protection of food systems and humanitarian access.

Maximo Terrarero Cullen, FAO chief economist, told a United Nations podcast that COVID-19 disruptions, the war in Ukraine and a new "supply choke" on key inputs (fertilizer, fuel) are combining to push global food prices higher and threaten food access for hundreds of millions.

The article details how Russian strikes on Ukrainian ports, particularly Odessa, have disrupted grain exports and threatened global food supply chains. These attacks, part of a broader maritime conflict with Ukraine, have halted nearly all shipping in and out of Odessa, a critical hub for Ukraine's grain exports. The campaign, which began in 2022, has caused spikes in global food prices and increased hunger risks for millions. Ukrainian officials report at least 50 cargo ships attacked in June and July, killing over 30 civilians. The strikes are part of Russia's response to Ukraine's targeting of Russian-linked tankers and cargo vessels, which have left Crimea isolated. The article highlights the broader implications for international maritime security, with similar conflicts emerging in regions like the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz. The situation echoes the 2022 blockade, raising concerns about food shortages and economic impacts worldwide.

At the council briefing the UN presenter said renewed strikes on Black Sea ports and civilian vessels have disrupted grain shipments, citing UNCTAD data showing a roughly 20% monthly rise in wheat prices and noting several crew fatalities on flagged vessels.

US media project the former congresswoman and CIA officer beat Republican Earle-Sears to become state's first woman governor.

The U.N. announced the appointment of Monica Katina Juma as executive director of UNODC and director-general of the U.N. office in Vienna, with John Brandolino serving as acting executive director until she assumes the post; the briefing also included UNDP and FAO updates on Jamaica recovery and rising global food prices.

Officials reaffirm commitment to global food aid despite recent distribution reforms and cuts.