In the last two decades, global issues such as temperature change over land, food insecurity, obesity rates, and environmental pressures on agriculture have escalated and reached an alarming point.
“Timely, accurate and high-quality data and statistics are the cornerstone of solid policy design, where decisions are based on hard evidence, and monitoring and evaluation rely on strong statistical systems.” – José Rosero Moncayo, Chief Statistician at the FAO.
Purpose of the Yearbook
The Yearbook intends to equip policymakers, researchers and analysts, as well as laypersons with reliable information for evidence-based decision-making.
The publication underscores the interconnected nature of the global challenges and their implications for achieving sustainable agrifood systems.
The Yearbook is structured into four thematic chapters, covering the economic aspects of agriculture, commodity production, trade, and pricing trends, food security and nutrition and sustainability and environmental impacts of agriculture. This structure provides a holistic view of the complex factors influencing global food systems, showcasing trends and offering comparisons across countries and regions.
Agriculture’s economic aspects
Between 2000 and 2022, the value added by agriculture rose by 89%, reaching $3.8 trillion. Despite this growth, agriculture’s share of global GDP remains stable at 4%, reflecting structural shifts toward industrial and service sectors. Agriculture is a vital component of GDP in low-income countries, supporting livelihoods and employment. However, productivity gaps persist, especially in regions with limited access to technology and infrastructure.
Globally, agricultural employment fell from 1 billion people in 2000 to 892 million in 2022, with a particular decline in Asia and Europe and a modest increase in Africa. Gradual modernisation, with increased mechanisation and digital integration in more advanced economies, contributes to this decline. Gender disparities are notable, with women making up 38.5% of agricultural workers, often in unpaid or informal roles.
The influence of commodities
Global production data underscore agriculture’s vital role in meeting food demand. In 2022, primary crop production had increased by 56% compared to 2020, driven by cereals, oilseeds, and sugar crops. Key producers include China, India, and the United States, with developing regions like Africa showing the fastest growth rates. Nevertheless, the unequal distribution of technology and expanding markets underscore the productivity disparities between developed and developing regions.
Global trade in food commodities reached unprecedented levels, with cereals and vegetable oils dominating exports. The Americas remain the largest exporters of food commodities, while Africa continues to rely heavily on imports, emphasising the urgency of developing a better self-sufficient system.
Moreover, conflicts, climate events, and supply chain disruptions exacerbate price volatility. The FAO Food Price Index revealed notable increases in 2022, driven by spikes in the cereals, dairy, and vegetable oils prices. Inflationary pressures further constrained food affordability, particularly in low-income regions. The Yearbook also explores shifts in dietary patterns with an increased demand for processed and high-value foods in emerging economies.
Food security and nutrition
In 2023, undernourishment affected 9.2% of the global population. Asia and Africa bear the brunt of hunger, with sub-Saharan Africa showing the highest rates. Conversely, obesity rates are rising globally, with North America and Europe leading in prevalence. These contrasting trends highlight inequalities in food access and quality.
To combat malnutrition, efforts have focused on diversifying diets and improving nutrient adequacy. Newly included datasets on dietary habits provide valuable insights into consumption trends and their impacts on health outcomes.
International aid providing funding directed toward nutrition-sensitive agricultural programs and emergency food relief is crucial. Despite these efforts, the rising cost of living, driven by food inflation, threatens gains in food security, underscoring the need for resilient food systems.
The environmental impact of agriculture
Agriculture is a major driver of environmental degradation, contributing to deforestation, water scarcity, and greenhouse gas emissions. The Yearbook emphasises the pressing need for sustainable practices, strengthening collaborative efforts between governments, NGOs, and private sectors is essential to balance productivity with conservation.
Innovations like agroecology and precision farming, are key solutions, but uneven adoption underscores the need for supportive policies and investments.
The Yearbook also addresses the importance of biodiversity, noting the risks posed by monoculture farming and habitat loss.
All in all, the Yearbook underscores the various harmful effects of the current agrifood system within the economic, social, and environmental dimensions. To create economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and socially inclusive food systems, the Yearbook calls for collective action, high-quality data, technological innovations, knowledge-sharing platforms, social protection programmes, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Written by David Mingasson, SIANI reporter