Extreme weather is fueling higher food prices around the world
Soaring global food prices between 2022 and 2024 were driven by extreme weather linked to climate change, according to new international research.
Lianne Kolirin reports for CNN.
In short:
- Researchers analyzed 16 major food price spikes across 18 countries and found each was tied to record-setting weather — such as drought, heatwaves or floods — between 2022 and 2024.
- Notable examples include an 80% surge in vegetable prices in California and Arizona after summer heat and drought, and a 280% rise in cocoa prices in April 2024 due to West African heatwaves.
- The study warns that rising food costs make healthy diets less accessible, particularly for low-income households, increasing the risk of malnutrition and diet-related diseases.
Key quote:
“Until we get to net-zero emissions, extreme weather will only get worse, and it’s already damaging crops and pushing up the price of food all over the world.”
— Maximillian Kotz, Barcelona Supercomputer Center and Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Why this matters:
Food systems around the globe are increasingly vulnerable to the growing frequency and severity of extreme weather events. When crops fail due to drought or floods, the effects ripple far beyond farms, driving up food costs, tightening supply chains, and straining low-income communities that already struggle to afford nutritious options. Climate-fueled volatility has made staples like rice, vegetables, and coffee more expensive in dozens of countries. As prices rise, many households turn to cheaper, less healthy alternatives, fueling long-term public health issues like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Learn more: Extreme weather threatens global food security
