A new report from six European research organizations and the European Central Bank has found that extreme climate events are causing food price spikes around the world. The research, released ahead of the UN Food Systems Summit, cites examples such as a 280% surge in global cocoa prices following a heatwave in Ghana and a 300% jump in lettuce prices in Australia after floods.
Price increases were linked to various extreme weather conditions, including heatwaves, droughts, and floods. For instance, a 2023 drought in Brazil led to a 55% increase in global coffee prices the following year, while a 2022 drought in Ethiopia resulted in a 40% overall food price hike in 2023.
The report’s lead author, Maximillian Kotz, warns that extreme weather events will only worsen unless emissions are reduced to net zero. “People are noticing, with rising food prices number two on the list of climate impacts they see in their lives,” he said. Low-income families are often the most affected by price hikes.
The report comes as governments face pressure to address climate change and its impact on global food systems. While commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change fall short of needed reductions, an International Court of Justice advisory opinion is expected to deliver a landmark ruling on states’ obligations to address climate change.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/21/climate-crisis-causing-food-price-spikes-around-the-world-scientists-say