Wars and heatwaves send food prices soaring

Global food prices for key commodities like sugar, vegetable oil, and grains have risen significantly due to a combination of factors, including summer heatwaves, the war in Ukraine, and conflicts in the Middle East.

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The summer's heatwaves, the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East have globally made it more expensive to fill the shopping basket with sugar, vegetable oil and grain products.

According to The Guardian, the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that its food price index reached its highest point since January 2023 in July. The organization attributes this surge, in part, to the widespread heatwaves that affected large areas of Europe over the summer.

The extreme heat is estimated to have destroyed approximately nine million tons of crops, including wheat, barley, corn, and oats. This significant loss of agricultural output directly impacts global supply and contributes to the rising costs.

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The organization points, among other things, to the heatwaves that have surrounded large parts of Europe throughout the summer as a cause.

In contrast to the increase in prices for plant-based commodities, the costs for poultry, pork, and beef have seen a slight decrease. This divergence highlights the varied impacts of global events and climate conditions on different sectors of the food market.

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The heat is estimated to have destroyed nine million tons of crops such as wheat, barley, corn and oats.