Concerns Over Global Food Shortage Due to COVID-19 Rise... G20 Says "No Disruption to Food Supply Chains"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) forecasted on the 21st (local time) that 265 million people worldwide could face severe food shortages due to the economic impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The Group of Twenty (G20) agreed to cooperate to prevent disruptions to the global food supply chain caused by each country's lockdown measures.

According to Bloomberg News and others, the number of people worldwide experiencing severe food shortages this year could be double that of last year (135 million). Arif Husain, WFP Chief Economist, stated, "If people cannot access food, a large-scale refugee crisis similar to the one that occurred in Europe in 2016 could happen again."

As the COVID-19 pandemic shows signs of prolonged duration, major agricultural and livestock export countries such as Vietnam, Russia, Serbia, Pakistan, Cambodia, and Thailand are taking measures to temporarily restrict exports to prepare for the global economic recession and secure their own food security. Food-importing countries are actively moving to secure food supplies in advance, considering these factors.

On the 21st, G20 agriculture and food-related ministers held an emergency video conference and issued a statement agreeing that international food supply chains must not be disrupted by lockdown measures taken by countries to respond to COVID-19. They emphasized, "Emergency measures against the COVID-19 pandemic must have clear objectives, be proportionate, transparent, and temporary," and "These measures must not become unnecessary obstacles that disrupt international food supply chains or block trade."

They also stated, "There was agreement that such emergency measures must also comply with the disciplines of the World Trade Organization (WTO)." Furthermore, they said, "The G20 will cooperate to ensure that everyone can continue to consume sufficient, safe, and reasonably priced nutritious food," and "In the difficult circumstances we face now, the entire food supply chain must not be disrupted, leading to food shortages or waste."

They added that they will also cooperate to prevent abnormal surges in food prices in the international market.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.