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The FAO Food Price Index fell for the third consecutive month in April as global markets continue to see the effects of COVID-19. The 3.4-percent decrease brought the Index to the lowest point seen since January 2019.

The FAO Food Price Index fell for the third consecutive month in April as global markets continue to see the effects of COVID-19. The 3.4-percent decrease brought the Index to the lowest point seen since January 2019.

This post originally appeared on IFPRI.org.

Food systems are complex and the disruptions caused by COVID-19 are varied. Global analyses of trends in food supply, trade, and prices are useful. However, as Manuel Hernandez, Soonho Kim, Brendan Rice, and Rob Vos emphasize, daily price data in multiple countries and markets are needed to provide information to identify and respond to more specific local and national shocks—and a new Food Price Tracker tool is now available to meet this demand.—John McDermott, series co-editor and Director, CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH).

Webinar hosted by the Food Security Portal

8 May 2020, 9:00 - 10:30 EDT

Background
Food security and nutrition security, particularly in low-income countries, continue to face significant challenges, from volatile food prices, climate change-driven shocks, and conflict to pandemics and economic downturns. A number of research efforts exist around the world to allow near-real-time monitoring of these and other risk factors that drive food crises. This work includes monitoring production-related information, climate and conflict data, price information, and other factors in order to identify the likelihood of acute food insecurity and help policy makers enact timely policy responses.

An estimated 135 million people around the world faced acute levels of hunger in 2019, according to the 2020 Global Report on Food Crises, released this week. This number reflects the highest level of acute hunger seen since the report’s inception in 2017.