Dollar & Sense: The Brookings Trade Podcast

A look at food insecurity and agricultural trade around the world

Aug 28, 2023

Caitlin Welsh, Director of the Global Food and Water Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), discusses global food insecurity and shocks affecting agricultural trade, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine, COVID-19, and India's rice export restriction. The chapter also explores China's role in global food security, its agricultural trade impact, and foreign investment control measures. The podcast highlights distribution challenges, sustainable diets, and technological advancements to reduce food wastage.

24:01

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Episode guests

Caitlin Welsh

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Over 783 million people globally are experiencing food insecurity, with an increase of at least 122 million since before the COVID pandemic, affecting approximately 42% of the world's population.

Various shocks, including the COVID pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, significantly affect global food security and agricultural trade, leading to reduced consumption of healthier foods and increased prices impacting the availability and affordability of staple foods.

Deep dives

Food Insecurity and Hunger Worldwide

According to Caitlyn Welsh, an estimated 783 million people are experiencing food insecurity globally, with an increase of at least 122 million since before the COVID pandemic. The UN FAO and the UN World Food Program identify 22 countries as hotspots for acute food insecurity, with countries in the Sahel region and the Middle East being of particular concern. However, food insecurity is not limited to these hotspots, with over 3.1 billion people, approximately 42% of the world's population, unable to afford the cheapest form of a healthy diet.

Introduction

3min

Food Insecurity and Global Shocks

8min

Impact of Shocks on Agricultural Trade and Export Restrictions

2min

China's Role in Global Food Security and Trade

9min

Exploring Food Insecurity and Agricultural Trade

2min

Caitlin Welsh, director of the Global Food and Water Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), reviews global food insecurity, noting that malnourishment extends beyond just hotspot countries, potentially affecting over 40% of people worldwide. She discusses shocks that have affected food security and agricultural trade, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, COVID-19, and India’s restriction on exports of rice in 2022, and also comments on foreign entities’ purchases of agricultural land around the world.

Show notes and transcript

Dollar & Sense is part of the Brookings Podcast Network. Learn more at brookings.edu/podcasts, and send feedback to podcasts@brookings.edu.

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