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] Iran's attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz have put a stranglehold on exports of oil and raw materials for fertiliser, sending energy prices soaring and raising the risk of a food security crisis in some of the world's most vulnerable countries. Al Jazeera
• [New] An emergency agriculture bill passed by the French parliament on Tuesday, which facilitates the construction of water storage tanks for crop irrigation and livestock farms, has raised concerns over the equitable sharing of water resources and fears that farmers are being prioritised. The Guardian
• [New] The Russian Ministry of Agriculture claimed that the situation in the Sea of Azov will not affect the domestic food supply or Russia's agricultural export capacity. Critical Threats
• [New] At particular risk are countries that do not have national data privacy laws, such as Liberia, whose memorandum of understanding requires interlinked and interoperable data systems for surveillance, laboratory, response, health, environment, agriculture. Techdirt
• [New] The global population will reach 9.7 billion by 2050, increasing fertilizer demand by nearly 50% to ensure food security. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The 2026 Middle East conflict, along with weather extremes and the reductions in official development assistance and humanitarian funding, are threatening to undermine the progress made to end global hunger. World Health Organization: WHO
• [New] The crisis around the Strait of Hormuz will have an effect on food production, crop yields and hunger. UN News
• [New] There are 2.69 billion people unable to afford a diverse diet that meets their energy and nutrient needs, and it will take immense amounts of work to achieve the global target of zero hunger by 2030. The Guardian
• [New] More than 80% of drought impacts on agriculture globally are projected to hit low- and middle-income countries. Mapshock
• [New] Smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa face limited access to irrigation, agricultural inputs, and modern technologies, combined with weak adaptive capacity and inadequate infrastructure, which drives rising food prices, reduced dietary diversity, and increased risks of hunger and malnutrition. Mapshock
• [New] Continued investment in precision agriculture, disease-resistant varieties, and high-yield planting systems is expected to improve productivity further, supporting stable global supply and export growth over the coming years. MarkNtel Advisors
• [New] Four hunger hotspots faced a risk of Famine at some point in 2026 or are expected to remain at risk during the outlook period: Sudan, South Sudan, the Gaza Strip, and Somalia. United Nations Western Europe
• [New] The global decline of pollinator populations is a critical threat to food security, given that over 75% of global food crops rely on animal pollination. ThesisLikho
• [New] The FAO and the WFP called for swift, coordinated international action to scale up aid, protect livelihoods and prevent further deterioration, warning that without swift intervention, millions more could face catastrophic hunger in the months ahead. Boston Herald
• [New] El Nino-related weather risks later in 2026 could further threaten food production and food security in countries already facing severe food crises. CNS Media
• [New] The United Nations has warned of expanding hunger and a declining ability of aid agencies to respond because of severe funding shortages.

Last updated: 27 July 2026