WORLD – In its latest global food security update, released in May 2026, the World Bank warned that food and nutrition insecurity continues to worsen around the world despite the relative stability of basic food commodity supplies.
The report noted that armed conflicts and climate shocks remain the main drivers of acute food insecurity. Around 67 million people in Eastern and Southern Africa require food assistance, while 14 areas in Sudan are facing the risk of famine. In addition, approximately 52.9 million people in West and Central Africa are expected to experience acute food insecurity during the June–August 2026 lean season.
The World Bank also stressed that ongoing tensions and conflict in the Middle East have increased risks to global food security following disruptions to oil, gas, and fertilizer flows through the Strait of Hormuz. These disruptions led to a 46% monthly increase in urea prices and an 8% rise in agricultural commodity prices, heightening concerns over food affordability and price inflation.
According to the World Bank’s Commodity Markets Outlook, global fertilizer prices are expected to rise by about 31% in 2026, reaching their highest pressure levels on farmers since 2022.
On the climate front, the report warned of a 61% to 87% probability that an El Niño event will emerge by mid-2026 and persist into 2027. Such a development could negatively affect crop production in South Asia, Southern Africa, and parts of East Asia, with rice production potentially declining by between 20% and 50%.
Market data showed that agricultural commodity and grain price indices increased by 3% and 4%, respectively, since March 2026. Wheat and corn prices drove these gains, rising by 11% and 5%, while rice prices fell by 5%.
The report also highlighted persistently elevated domestic food price inflation across many countries during the first quarter of 2026. Conditions worsened slightly in low-income countries, where the share of countries experiencing food inflation above 5% increased from 40% to 45%. In contrast, lower-middle-income, upper-middle-income, and high-income countries recorded modest improvements.
The World Bank further noted that food price inflation exceeded overall inflation rates in 14% of the 148 countries for which data were available, signaling growing pressure on household purchasing power, particularly in the most vulnerable economies.
The institution reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening food security and creating jobs through its Agricultural Transformation Initiative, which aims to boost food production and enhance communities’ resilience to mounting crises.
