Rethinking the Role of International Food Trade in Ensuring Global Food Security

Research conducted at Peking University and published in the Food and Energy Security journal has shed light on the complex relationship between international food trade and global food security. The study, which examined the spatial and temporal patterns of international food trade's role in ensuring food security for countries facing domestic food shortages, found that international soybean trade has contributed significantly to food security in the past 60 years. However, the results also highlighted the need for equitable trade policies, strengthened antitrust regulations, and sustainable agricultural practices to address global food security challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• The global food crisis was not caused by food production scarcity, but rather by international food trade distribution inequity in the context of free trade.
• International soybean trade has contributed more than other international food trades in ensuring food security, with an average ratio of trade amount to domestic shortages of 100% for soybean, 96% for wheat, 92% for maize, and 84% for rice.
• Spatial heterogeneity was found in the role that international food trade played in ensuring food security, with some countries still facing deepening food shortages despite participating in food trade activities.
• Addressing global food security requires equitable trade policies, strengthened antitrust regulations, and sustainable agricultural practices to enhance food distribution.
• Mitigating speculative activities, reassessing biofuel policies, and reducing food loss and waste are essential for fostering a more resilient global food system.
• The study suggests that countries with domestic food shortages can alleviate the dilemma of food shortfall through international food trade, but ongoing efforts are needed to address the root causes of food insecurity.

Statistics:

• The global food crisis was not caused by food production scarcity.
• International soybean trade has contributed 100% of the average ratio of trade amount to domestic shortages in the past 60 years.
• 96% of overall food trade contributed to global food security through wheat imports.
• 92% of overall food trade contributed to global food security through maize imports.
• 84% of overall food trade contributed to global food security through rice imports.
• Spatial heterogeneity was observed in 10 countries that still faced deepening food shortages despite participating in food trade activities.

Sources:

• "Rethinking the Role of International Food Trade In Ensuring Global Food Security." Food and Energy Security, 2025;14(3), doi: 10.1002/fs3.1122.
• NewsRx. Research Data from Peking University Update Understanding of Food and Energy Security (Rethinking the Role of International Food Trade In Ensuring Global Food Security). Biotech Week. July 16, 2025; p 13.