Dhaka, October 10 — Bangladesh has been named among the ten countries with the largest populations facing acute food insecurity in the 2026 Global Report on Food Crises, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation. The report cited rising food prices as the primary pressure on low-income households, rather than an absolute shortage of staple grains.
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently warned of a looming major food crisis, attributing it to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Iran-Gulf region, disruptions in fertiliser supply, tightening energy markets, and the influence of a strong El Niño weather pattern. His remarks underscored the interconnected nature of global food systems and the vulnerability of import-dependent economies.
The FAO Food Price Index averaged 133.3 points in August, with the cereal index reaching its highest level since May 2024. The organisation also projected that global fertiliser prices would increase by more than 30% this year, a trend already contributing to upward pressure on food costs worldwide. While Bangladesh does not face an immediate scarcity of rice, the report emphasized that escalating prices could render food unaffordable for vulnerable populations, particularly those in urban slums and rural areas reliant on daily wage labour.
This distinction between availability and accessibility is critical in assessing the nature of the crisis. Historically, Bangladesh has made significant strides in reducing hunger through agricultural self-sufficiency in rice and robust social safety nets.
However, the country remains exposed to global commodity fluctuations due to its reliance on imported fertilisers and energy, both essential for domestic food production. Past spikes in global prices have previously strained household budgets and prompted government intervention through subsidies and targeted aid. The current situation echoes earlier periods of volatility, such as the 2008 and 2022 food price surges, which led to inflationary pressure and social unrest in several South Asian nations.
Unlike those episodes, the 2026 pressures stem from a confluence of geopolitical instability, climate anomalies, and supply chain constraints rather than a single triggering event. Looking ahead, policymakers will need to monitor domestic market responses, assess the effectiveness of existing welfare programmes, and consider short-term measures to cushion the impact on the most vulnerable. The FAO’s projections suggest that without intervention, the number of people in acute food insecurity could rise further in the coming months.
Continued international coordination on fertiliser and energy flows may prove essential in mitigating the worst outcomes.
