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International trade

WTO Committee on Agriculture Discusses Global Food Security and Trade Policy

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The World Trade Organization's (WTO) Committee on Agriculture held its meeting on May 15, where members discussed global food security and trade policy. Key issues included the impact of conflict, climate change, and economic factors on food security, as well as the importance of open trade and market transparency.

Key Takeaways:

  • The International Grains Council (IGC) reported that the prospects for the next grain harvest remain broadly favorable, with a record 2,375 million tonnes expected to be produced.
  • The global crop projection is boosted by 2 million tonnes, due to upgrades for the Americas.
  • The IGC emphasized the importance of open trade, noting that global price developments may be strongly influenced by demand-side measures, including trade policies.
  • The World Food Programme (WFP) stressed that global food insecurity remains alarmingly high, with 295 million people acutely affected, and warned of catastrophic hunger, which has surged from 80,000 people in 2018 to 1.9 million in 2024.
  • The WFP called for increased funding, humanitarian access, and robust data systems to address the crisis, and thanked WTO members for the Decision adopted at the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) to exempt humanitarian food purchases from export restrictions.
  • Members discussed the implementation of the Nairobi Decision on Export Competition, the Bali Decision on Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) administration, and technology transfer to developing economies in the food and agricultural sector.
  • A total of 180 questions were raised by members concerning individual notifications and specific implementation matters during the meeting, including issues related to Australia, Brazil, Canada, the European Union, India, Indonesia, Japan, Paraguay, Switzerland, Thailand, TÈ­rkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Statistics:

  • Estimated 733 million people facing hunger globally, with a prevalence of undernourishment at 9.1% in 2023.
  • 295 million people acutely affected by food insecurity.
  • 1.9 million people experiencing catastrophic hunger.
  • 713 to 757 million people estimated to face hunger.
  • 24 million fewer people assisted by the WFP in 2025 compared to 2024.
  • 2 million tonnes increase in global crop projection due to upgrades for the Americas.
  • 2,375 million tonnes record grain harvest expected.

Sources:

  • International Grains Council (IGC) [1]
  • World Food Programme (WFP) [2]
  • WTO Committee on Agriculture [3]
  • WTO Agreement on Agriculture [4]
  • Nairobi Decision on Export Competition [5]
  • Bali Decision on Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) administration [6]
  • Marrakesh Decision on LDCs and NFIDCs [7]

[1] International Grains Council (IGC). (2024). Grain Market Report.

[2] World Food Programme (WFP). (2025). Global Food Insecurity.

[3] WTO Committee on Agriculture. (2025). Committee Meeting.

[4] WTO Agreement on Agriculture. (1994).

[5] Nairobi Decision on Export Competition. (2015).

[6] Bali Decision on Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) administration. (2013).

[7] Marrakesh Decision on LDCs and NFIDCs. (2001).

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