Our Scans · (LF.2) Zero Hunger · Weekly Summary

In September 2015, 193 world leaders agreed to 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. If these Goals are completed, it would mean an end to extreme poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

• [New] The unresolved US-Iran conflict, including naval blockades and sanctions, continues to affect key agricultural inputs like fertilizer, oil, and grains, putting global food security at risk. CNS Media
• [New] Sixteen hunger hotspots have been identified by the FAO and WFP, with six at the highest concern level where populations face imminent risk of famine: Sudan, Gaza, South Sudan, Yemen, Mali, and Haiti. African Agribusiness
• [New] A prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could result in a global food catastrophe, the Food and Agriculture Organization has warned, as shipments of critical agricultural inputs remain blocked in the key waterway due to the US-Israel war on Iran. Al Jazeera
• [New] By 2026, precision agriculture is projected to increase crop yields by up to 20% using advanced data analytics. Farmonaut
• [New] The Food Security Crisis in 2026 is a multidimensional threat driven by climate extremes, input shortages, and supply chain fragility. agribusinessplay
• [New] Logistics and cold chain vulnerabilities amplify scarcity in a Food Security Crisis in 2026 by causing post-harvest losses and limiting the movement of perishable goods. agribusinessplay
• [New] Tens of millions more people will face acute hunger if the United States-Israel war on Iran, and its reverberations through Iran's retaliation, continue through to June, the United Nations warned. Al Jazeera
• [New] The Middle East conflict risks adding a staggering 45 million to acute hunger levels, warns the UN's World Food Programme. Al Jazeera
• [New] Fertilizer markets are impacted, threatening food security in countries where famine or food insecurity are highest including Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia. UNOPS
• [New] The Farm Bill is a huge piece of legislation that identifies national agricultural priorities and reaffirms the responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, offering an important opportunity to protect animals from cruelty. ASPCA
• [New] The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced enrolment dates for 2026 Continuous and General Conservation Reserve Program, offering Washington producers opportunities to put marginal or environmentally sensitive acres to work through conservation. WASHINGTON STATE POTATO COMMISSION
• [New] Pakistan's food security is in double jeopardy; already dependent on imported agriculture inputs and farm produces such as pulses, soybean, canola edible oil seeds, and other essentials from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar, it is especially exposed to risk. brecorder
• In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, Wageningen University & Research will start new field trials with genetically modified potatoes in 2026. Mirage News
• The World Bank has approved a USD 500 million concessional loan to support Nigeria's agriculture sector through the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth project, running from 2026 to 2032. SEWF
• Southeast Asian rice production across Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia faces fertiliser access constraints that could reduce yields during upcoming planting cycles, threatening regional food security and potentially triggering export restrictions that amplify global supply tightness. Unbreakable Ventures
• UNICEF has so far delivered more than 200 metric tons of emergency supplies and is preparing to scale up its response, particularly in health, nutrition, and disease prevention, as the rainy season threatens to worsen conditions and limit access to affected areas. Pan African Visions
• Financial stability in spotlight amid higher energy and fertilizer prices, supply-chain disruptions and above-target inflationAccording to the FAO, the most vulnerable countries in terms of agriculture are Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Sudan and Tanzania. Emerging Market Skeptic
• By 2026, organic farming is projected to cover over 75 million hectares globally, promoting sustainable agriculture practices. Farmonaut
• Key Insight By 2026, Mexican agricultural imports are projected to be the primary source of fresh fruits and vegetables for the US and a growing secondary source for Canada, underscoring Mexico's role in North American food security. Farmonaut
• More critically, disruptions to the global flow of oil and refined products constrain production capacity across a wide range of industries - from semiconductors to agriculture. First Business Bank
• An index of food commodity prices created by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization averaged 128.5 points in March, up 3 points from February, as disruptions from the Iran war ripple through food supply chains. Edge and Odds -

Last updated: 20 April 2026