Archive · 25 Jul 2025
Climate Change Fuels Food Price Hikes Worldwide, Study Shows
Imagine the weather getting super hot, like it did in 2024!
Because of this, the prices of onions and potatoes in India went way up.
This happened because the hot weather ruined some of the crops.
This problem is happening all over the world with other foods like cocoa, coffee, and olive oil.
Scientists say that the world getting hotter is the reason and it will keep happening unless we stop it.
This means food may get expensive, which is especially tough on those with less money.
The experts suggest that we need to work together to solve climate change.
Study: Climate change significantly increased food prices in 2024.
Onion and potato prices in India jumped over 80% due to a May heatwave.
Heatwaves caused price hikes in cocoa, coffee, and olive oil globally.
Researchers linked these price shocks to global warming, warning of increased frequency.
Study recommends measures to reduce emissions and anticipate future price shocks.
- Who
- Researchers from the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre, European Central Bank, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and the UK’s Food Foundation.
- What
- Food prices increased significantly in India and globally due to extreme weather events intensified by climate change.
- When
- Food price increases occurred in 2024, following extreme weather events.
- Where
- India, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Brazil, Vietnam, European Union, and the United States.
- Why
- Extreme weather events, exacerbated by climate change, damaged crops and disrupted supply chains, leading to higher food prices.
Need for Immediate Action
Consequences of Inaction
Reducing Emissions
Need for Immediate Action
Urgent measures are needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Consequences of Inaction
Without climate action, food price shocks will become more frequent.
- Study Lead
- Maximilian Kotz, Barcelona Supercomputing Centre
- Price Increase (India)
- Over 80% for onions and potatoes in Q2 2024
- Temperature Increase (India heatwave)
- At least 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer due to climate change
- Price Increase (Cocoa)
- Around 280% in Ghana and Ivory Coast by April 2024
- Price Increase (Coffee)
- 55% Arabica, 100% Robusta in Brazil and Vietnam
- Price Increase (Olive Oil)
- 50% in EU by Jan 2024
- Study Release
- Ahead of UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake, July 27