Climate change is exacerbating extreme weather conditions, threatening agricultural production worldwide. Last year, heatwaves and droughts in Canada impacted pea production, while frost damage in Brazil severely damaged coffee bean production. This reduction in agricultural production, coupled with rising prices and reduced food security, is likely to become more pronounced in the future.
Agricultural commodity prices, which soared last year due to extreme weather events, are expected to remain high this year as unusual weather damages crops and creates persistent shortages.
The Financial Times reported that prices for Brazilian coffee, Belgian potatoes, and Canadian yellow peas surged last year due to extreme temperatures and flooding. Scientists warn that these anomalies will become more frequent and severe as climate change accelerates.
Logistics problems and the epidemic have caused changes in consumption habits, and prices of sugar and wheat also rose last year.
According to a report released by the Stockholm Environment Institute, "agriculture is the most exposed to climate change," with the risks from either a single extreme weather event or long-term changes in climate patterns being "many times greater" than the chances.
A series of extreme weather events occurred around the world in mid-2021, causing severe agricultural losses. For example, a July frost in Brazil severely damaged coffee bean-producing areas, driving prices to a seven-year high. However, Brazil's weather remains unstable, raising concerns about further losses.
At the end of last year, the second consecutive year of the "Te Nino" phenomenon occurred, which is expected to exacerbate global rainfall and drought problems. "Knowledge of the "Te Nino" phenomenon this year has led to food prices reacting in anticipation, even before the actual event," said Mario Zappacosta, a senior economist at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. This may also have a "contagion effect," causing prices of alternative crops to rise accordingly.
Meanwhile, an unprecedented heatwave and drought in Canada mid-2018 hit pea production, sending prices more than tripling and impacting artificial meat makers that rely on the ingredient. Belgian potato prices also surged after summer floods devastated large parts of continental Europe.
Researchers at the Stockholm Environment Institute said in a report that climate change will have "dramatic impacts on global agriculture," reducing yields.
Global sugarcane production could fall by 59% in the 30 years to 2100 compared to 1980-2010, while Arabica coffee and corn are projected to decline by 45% and 27% respectively.
Magnus Benzie, one of the authors of the Stockholm Institute for Environmental Research report, said that reduced production and higher prices could lead to reduced resilience in food security and higher costs for consumers worldwide. Countries' responses, such as stockpiling food and imposing trade restrictions, could also exacerbate the crisis.
Source: CSRone (https://csrone.com/news/7243)
