Archive · 25 Jul 2025
Climate Change Fuels Food Price Hikes Globally in 2024
Imagine the weather getting super hot, like it has been lately.
This heat, made worse by climate change, damaged crops in India and other places, making it harder to get food.
Because there was less food, the price of things like onions and potatoes went way up, hurting people's wallets.
This can make it difficult for low-income families to afford healthy food and can cause problems with health and even make it harder for the government to control the economy.
Scientists say we need to stop climate change to avoid future problems.
A new study links rising food prices to extreme weather events amplified by climate change.
Onion and potato prices in India jumped over 80% in the second quarter of 2024 due to a heatwave.
Extreme heat in several regions caused significant price increases for cocoa, coffee, olive oil, and vegetables.
Researchers warn that climate change will worsen food price shocks, impacting health and economic equality.
The study recommends measures to reduce emissions and prepare for future price shocks.
- Who
- Researchers from the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre, the European Central Bank, and other institutions.
- What
- Extreme weather events linked to climate change have caused significant increases in food prices.
- When
- The study investigated events between 2022 and 2024, with the most significant price spikes in 2024.
- Where
- India, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Brazil, Vietnam, EU, and the United States.
- Why
- Extreme weather events driven by climate change damaged crops and disrupted supply chains, leading to inflation.
Researchers' View
Government and Banks View
The need for action
Researchers' View
Urgent measures are needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Government and Banks View
Without climate action, food shocks will become more frequent, which affect health and political stability.
- Study Authors
- Maximilian Kotz of the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre and others.
- Affected Crops
- Onions, potatoes, cocoa, coffee, olive oil, and various vegetables.
- India Price Increase
- Onions and potatoes rose by over 80% in Q2 2024.
- Cocoa Price Increase
- Around 280% in Ghana and Ivory Coast by April 2024.
- Coffee Price Increase
- Up to 100% for Robusta in Brazil and Vietnam.
- Olive Oil Price Increase
- 50% year-on-year by January 2024 in the EU.
- Released
- July 25, 2025