The relationship: Climate change and food security
The unprecedented rainfall, droughts, heatwaves, and floods are disrupting food supplies and could exacerbate food price volatility, potentially leading to a 3% increase in food prices. This development will impact seasonal price patterns and make staple foods less affordable. Experts have penned projections that if comprehensive adaptation for sustainable agriculture is not implemented soon, the future could be alarming.
Climate change is a crucial factor for food price stability. Research has shown that the relationship between inflation and the monthly temperature increase is non-linear. Another study states that climate change poses a risk to food price stability, potentially leading to inflationary pressures, altering food seasonality, and amplifying the effects of weather extremes.
Ghana and Ivory Coast supply 60% of the world's cocoa, and were hit by a heatwave in early 2024, which resulted in a surge of cocoa prices by 280%. The situation persists into 2025, mainly due to disease, rainfall fluctuations, and farmers shifting to palm oil, as it's a more profitable crop. Brazil is the world's largest producer of coffee, satisfying 30% of the global supply, and 30% of the Arabica seeds.
Brazil experienced a severe drought, resulting in a 55% surge in coffee prices in mid-2024. Additional US tariffs on Cambodian coffee have increased prices by 62% in 2024. Interestingly, experts predict that in the coming 3 years, these commodities could become luxury products.
There are also short-term price surges in foods such as potatoes, cabbage, rice, and olive oil. The price of cabbage rose by 70% in South Korea in 2023. In Japan, Rice prices rose by 48% in 2024. In India, the cost of potatoes rose by 81% in 2024. The price surges in the countries were attributed to extreme weather conditions, specifically heatwaves.
In Europe, olive oil prices rose by 50% in 2024, and in Ethiopia, due to drought, overall food prices increased by 40% in 2023. Drought caused these price fluctuations. In Australia, the price of lettuce rose by 30% in 2022 due to floods. In Brazil, climate change is affecting every item and staple commodity purchased.
The Global South, including Africa and South America, bears the heaviest brunt of the global climate crisis, and they experience inflationary pressures all year round. Tropical regions are more vulnerable as crops are already stressed by rising temperatures.
Climate change raises food prices and also increases costs across the economy. Research has shown that high temperatures have upward inflationary trends over the past 30 years in both high and low-income economies.
Climate change is no longer a threat; it is a reality that we can see in our inflated grocery bills, disrupted agricultural production, reduced crop yields, increased complexity of supply chain bottlenecks, and a threat to global food security. These are not just words on a newspaper; this article serves as a potent reminder, a wake-up call to act, and a nudge to global stakeholders and decision-makers to collaborate in mitigating the amplifying ramifications of global warming through resilient agriculture, stringent regulations, farmer support, encouraging drought resistant crops, international climate funds, consistent dialogue, enforcing stringent emission cuts, and awareness campaigns.
Even individuals can adopt green practices, sustainable dietary habits, reduce wastage, and support eco-friendly producers. Every single climate-conscious act of 8.2 billion people worldwide will build a stable and affordable future for all.
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Observer
3 days ago
- Observer
The relationship: Climate change and food security
One of the significant challenges the world is facing today is climate change. The climate crisis is impacting human welfare, agricultural production, public health, labor productivity, and food price volatility. The intensified climate crisis is an existential reality that impacts countries and people at both the macro and micro levels. The unprecedented rainfall, droughts, heatwaves, and floods are disrupting food supplies and could exacerbate food price volatility, potentially leading to a 3% increase in food prices. This development will impact seasonal price patterns and make staple foods less affordable. Experts have penned projections that if comprehensive adaptation for sustainable agriculture is not implemented soon, the future could be alarming. Climate change is a crucial factor for food price stability. Research has shown that the relationship between inflation and the monthly temperature increase is non-linear. Another study states that climate change poses a risk to food price stability, potentially leading to inflationary pressures, altering food seasonality, and amplifying the effects of weather extremes. Ghana and Ivory Coast supply 60% of the world's cocoa, and were hit by a heatwave in early 2024, which resulted in a surge of cocoa prices by 280%. The situation persists into 2025, mainly due to disease, rainfall fluctuations, and farmers shifting to palm oil, as it's a more profitable crop. Brazil is the world's largest producer of coffee, satisfying 30% of the global supply, and 30% of the Arabica seeds. Brazil experienced a severe drought, resulting in a 55% surge in coffee prices in mid-2024. Additional US tariffs on Cambodian coffee have increased prices by 62% in 2024. Interestingly, experts predict that in the coming 3 years, these commodities could become luxury products. There are also short-term price surges in foods such as potatoes, cabbage, rice, and olive oil. The price of cabbage rose by 70% in South Korea in 2023. In Japan, Rice prices rose by 48% in 2024. In India, the cost of potatoes rose by 81% in 2024. The price surges in the countries were attributed to extreme weather conditions, specifically heatwaves. In Europe, olive oil prices rose by 50% in 2024, and in Ethiopia, due to drought, overall food prices increased by 40% in 2023. Drought caused these price fluctuations. In Australia, the price of lettuce rose by 30% in 2022 due to floods. In Brazil, climate change is affecting every item and staple commodity purchased. The Global South, including Africa and South America, bears the heaviest brunt of the global climate crisis, and they experience inflationary pressures all year round. Tropical regions are more vulnerable as crops are already stressed by rising temperatures. Climate change raises food prices and also increases costs across the economy. Research has shown that high temperatures have upward inflationary trends over the past 30 years in both high and low-income economies. Climate change is no longer a threat; it is a reality that we can see in our inflated grocery bills, disrupted agricultural production, reduced crop yields, increased complexity of supply chain bottlenecks, and a threat to global food security. These are not just words on a newspaper; this article serves as a potent reminder, a wake-up call to act, and a nudge to global stakeholders and decision-makers to collaborate in mitigating the amplifying ramifications of global warming through resilient agriculture, stringent regulations, farmer support, encouraging drought resistant crops, international climate funds, consistent dialogue, enforcing stringent emission cuts, and awareness campaigns. Even individuals can adopt green practices, sustainable dietary habits, reduce wastage, and support eco-friendly producers. Every single climate-conscious act of 8.2 billion people worldwide will build a stable and affordable future for all.
Observer
29-07-2025
- Observer
Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire after five days of fighting
Cambodia and Thailand agreed to an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" from midnight on Monday, in a bid to halt their deadliest conflict in more than a decade after five days of fierce fighting that has displaced more than 300,000 people. After days of efforts by Malaysia, chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, the United States and China to bring both sides to the table, the two countries' leaders agreed to end hostilities, resume direct communications and create a mechanism to implement the truce. At least 36 people have been killed in the fighting, mostly civilians. Following more than two hours of talks at his official residence in Putrajaya, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, flanked by Thai and Cambodian leaders, said he was ready to deploy a team to observe and ensure implementation. "This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security," he told a press conference. "All parties shared a commitment to peace." The Southeast Asian neighbours have wrangled for decades over border territory and have been on a conflict footing since the killing of a Cambodian soldier in a skirmish late in May, which led to a troop buildup on both sides. A full-blown diplomatic crisis brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. They accuse each other of starting the fighting last week, both quickly deploying heavy artillery at multiple points along their 800-km land border. Thailand flew air raids with an F-16 fighter jet. US President Donald Trump called both leaders at the weekend, warning he would not conclude trade deals with them unless they ended the fighting. Both sides are facing a steep import tariff of 36% on their goods in the U.S., their top export market. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet thanked his acting Thai counterpart Phumtham Wechayachai for what he said was a positive role and said he deeply appreciated Trump's "decisive mediation" and China's constructive participation. "We agreed that the fighting will stop immediately," he said, expressing confidence that both sides could rebuild trust and confidence. "The solutions proposed by Prime Minister Anwar will set the conditions for moving forward with bilateral discussions, returning to normalcy, and forming the foundation for future de-escalation." Responding to the ceasefire, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Trump "made this happen". "Give him the Nobel Peace Prize!" Leavitt posted on X. Tensions boiled over last week after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia's envoy, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged Cambodian troops had recently laid. Cambodia has strongly denied the charge, as well as Thai accusations that it has fired at civilian targets including schools and hospitals. Hun Manet last week accused Thailand of "unprovoked and premeditated military aggression". Thai leader Phumtham, who had expressed doubts about Cambodia's sincerity, said Bangkok had agreed to a ceasefire that would be "carried out successfully in good faith by both sides". "Today's outcome reflects Thailand's desire for a peaceful resolution by continuing to protect our sovereignty and the life of our people," he said, thanking Trump and Malaysia. The fighting has scarred border communities on both sides. In Thailand's Sisaket province, a house lay reduced to splintered wood and twisted beams after being struck by artillery fire from Cambodia. The roof had caved in, windows hung by the frame and power lines drooped over the structure. Amid the din of occasional artillery fire, homes and shops remained shut and a four-lane road was deserted except for a few cars and military vehicles. Dozens of displaced residents lined up quietly for their evening meal at an evacuation centre about 40 km away from the frontlines. A few children played with dogs, others swept the dusty floor. Fifty-four-year-old Nong Ngarmsri just wanted to go back to her village. "I want to go to my children who stayed back," she said. "I want them to cease firing so that I can go home." — Reuters
Observer
24-07-2025
- Observer
First coffee farm opens in Jabal Shams
MUSCAT: In a strategic move to develop high — altitude agriculture and expand Oman's specialty crop portfolio, Coffee Farm Company, led by founder and CEO Said al Wardi, has launched a commercial coffee cultivation project in Jabal Shams. The initiative aims to plant 6,000 coffee seedlings by 2027, positioning Oman as a potential producer of high-quality Arabica coffee. The project began with the planting of 300 seedlings of the Yemeni Udaini variety, one of the world's oldest and most prized Arabica strains. The number is expected to rise to 5,000 seedlings in 2026 and reach 6,000 the following year. The crop is being cultivated at elevations considered critical for specialty-grade coffee, with Jabal Shams offering the right combination of altitude, temperature and humidity. 'The climate in Oman's highlands is more suitable for coffee than many people realise', said Al Wardi. 'This isn't about hobby farming, it's a serious agricultural and economic opportunity aligned with national goals'. The project is among the first of its kind in the Sultanate of Oman. While coffee is not native to Oman, the country's mountainous regions, especially in Al Dakhiliyah and Dhofar — have shown promising results in experimental cultivation. One of the early challenges faced by the company was acquiring viable coffee seedlings. 'Most countries classify coffee as a strategic crop and restrict seed exports', Al Wardi explained. 'We overcame this by propagating seedlings locally in Salalah and Bahla'. To ensure sustainable expansion, the company has partnered with Nakheel Oman Development Company and the Agricultural Research Centre in Qummah, which are supporting the development of tissue-cultured plants to scale the operation. In parallel, Coffee Farm Company is investing in agri-tourism infrastructure. Plans are underway to establish a coffee visitor experience site in Jabal Shams, where tourists will be able to tour the plantations, participate in harvest activities and visit a Coffee Museum located near the popular viewpoint Shurfat Al Nakhr. 'This initiative is not just about agriculture. It's about integrating farming, tourism and heritage into one value chain', Al Wardi said. The company will market its coffee under the name Bunn Al Madar, inspired by the traditional clay dallah used for brewing coffee in Oman. The brand already produces roasted beans and capsules; and aims to build a strong 'Made in Oman' identity. The project supports Oman Vision 2040 objectives, which prioritise agricultural innovation, economic diversification and the development of non-oil sectors, particularly in rural and mountainous areas. 'This is just the beginning', Al Wardi said. 'With the right support and continued experimentation, Omani coffee can become a recognised name in the regional and global market'.
