2022: a year of unprecedented hunger As many as 828 million people go to bed hungry every night. The number of those facing acute food insecurity has soared - from 135 million to 345 million - since 2019. A total of 49 million people in 49 countries are teetering on the edge of famine.
It looks like food shortages have continued into 2022. This is what might be causing the issue. After some signs of a slow and cautious return to pre-pandemic normalcy last year, 2022 is looking remarkably like fall 2020—and that means supply issues at grocery stores.
The U.S. is facing a shortage of several food products -- wheat, lettuce, butter, eggs and turkey -- which could affect the price and availability of some of your favorite holiday dishes. The supply chain hasn't been the same since the pandemic.
In 2020, as many as 811 million people worldwide didn't have enough to eat, and Earth's population is projected to grow by another 2 billion in the next 30 years. Experts project we'll need to produce as much as 56% more food to feed everyone, but we can't do that sustainably without some major changes.
Even the future of Australia's mighty $49 billion agricultural sector is looking shaky. Thanks to climate change, production of major export commodities such as wheat, beef, dairy and sugar will fall as much as 19 per cent by 2050, the Climate Group's report found.
Released today, the Foodbank Hunger Report 2022 reveals alarming details surrounding the food insecurity crisis the country is facing. More than 2 million households in Australia have run out of food in the last year due to limited finances, sometimes skipping meals or going whole days without eating.
The WFP predicts that by 2023 there will be a shortage of wheat and corn, which are two staple products in the food supply chain. The reports also estimate that these shortages will increase global food prices and could even trigger a new global recession.
“Global consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes will have to double, and consumption of foods such as red meat and sugar will have to be reduced by more than 50%. A diet rich in plant-based foods and with fewer animal source foods confers both improved health and environmental benefits.”
The world is facing a food crisis of unprecedented proportions, the largest in modern history. Millions are at risk of worsening hunger unless action is taken now to respond at scale to the drivers of this crisis: conflict, climate shocks and the threat of global recession.
Highlights. Adding to this, scientists have warned us that we just have 27 years until we are out of food completely. Scientists have also mentioned how an excessive amount of food is eaten and wasted every single day.
If you have the space, experts recommend a week's supply of food and water. Choose foods that don't require refrigeration and are not high in salt. Your stockpile should also contain flashlights, a manual can opener, a radio, batteries and copies of important documents.
Baby formula, wine and spirits, lawn chairs, garage doors, butter, cream cheese, breakfast cereal and many more items have also been facing shortages in the U.S. during 2022 — and popcorn and tomatoes are expected to be in short supply soon.
You should be prepared for a major meat shortage.
Alongside fruit troubles, there's also concern for meat. According to USA Today, beef production is walking a tightrope this year. Nationwide, beef slaughter is up 13 percent and in certain states like Texas—where major drought has hit—it's up by 30 percent.
Food production and manufacturing are widely dispersed throughout the U.S. and there are currently no wide-spread disruptions reported in the supply chain.
Should I stockpile food 2022? Stock up on non-perishables to ensure your household has enough essentials to last through an extended food shortage. Prepare for a food shortage by filling up your pantry space with items that have a healthy shelf life, including, canned food, rice, noodles, beans, and the like.
Hunger and nutrition in numbers
Around 660 million people may still face hunger in 2030, in part due to lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on global food security.
Algae, synthetically grown meat, plant-based meat alternatives, edible insect burgers, and protein bars could well be on the global menu. Importantly, it is yet to be seen what sorts of regulations will be enforced in various countries regarding the claims and supply of these advanced food products.
Global meat consumption is on the rise. By 2050, consumption of meat worldwide is expected to rise by 76%. However, methane from cows is 25 times more effective as a global warming agent than CO2. Another promising solution are insects – a highly nutritious and ecologically more sustainable protein source than meat.
By 2050, with the global population expected to reach 9.8 billion, our food supplies will be under far greater stress. Demand will be 60% higher than it is today, but climate change, urbanization, and soil degradation will have shrunk the availability of arable land, according to the World Economic Forum.
With climate change studies predicting the Murray Darling Basin is likely to become even drier in the future, and with food production in the area increasing, a greater proportion of Australia's fruit and veg is at risk of being exposed to the devastating impacts of drought.