Extreme El Niño Threatens Global Food Security, Asia Faces Severe Droughts and Price Hikes
Summary
Extreme El Niño is expected to intensify droughts and heatwaves across Asia, threatening water supplies, fish production and harvests. Analysts warn the resulting shocks could worsen global food insecurity and push food prices higher.
Key Points
- El Niño is forecast to become one of the strongest on record, with impacts expected across Asia, Africa and South America.
- Southeast Asia is already seeing falling reservoir levels, spreading forest fires and growing pressure on fisheries and agriculture.
- Rice and palm oil production in major exporting countries such as India, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia could be hit hard.
- Analysts warn global food commodity prices may rise by more than 15 percent as food security worsens.
