Global agricultural and food production are projected to continue to increase over the next 10 years, but at a slower pace of growth than the previous decade due to demographic trends, according to a report released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
The OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2023-2032 offers insight on medium-term trends in global agricultural commodity markets. The outlook said while uncertainty has risen due to geopolitical tensions, adverse climate trends, animal and plant diseases and increased price volatility for key agricultural inputs, global production of crops, livestock products and fish are projected to grow at an average annual rate of 1.1% during the period, half the pace recorded in the decade ending in 2015. Total food consumption is expected to rise by 1.3% per annum to 2032, indicating an increase in the share of agricultural commodities used as food.
The report noted these projections assume a fast recovery from recent inflationary pressures, normal weather conditions, no major policy changes and on-trend evolution in consumer preferences. The possibility that inflationary pressures remain persistent poses downside risks to global food demand and production, it said.
In a special assessment of key farming input prices, which have risen significantly in the past two years, the report calculated that every 10% increase in fertilizer prices leads to a 2% increase in food costs, with the burden falling hardest on the poor, who spend a larger share of their budget on food.
“Surges in agricultural input prices experienced over the last two years have raised concerns about global food security,” OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann said. “Investments in innovation, further productivity gains and reductions in the carbon intensity of production are needed to lay the foundation for long-term food security, affordability and sustainability.”
The outlook offered projections for the next decade of cereals, vegetable oils, dairy products, meat, pulses and agricultural output used for biofuels. It also included projections for expected regional trends in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and incorporated first-time preliminary analyses of the role of food loss and waste.
“The broad trends outlined in this report are heading in the right direction, but need to be accelerated,” QU Dongyu, FAO director-general, said. “Promoting a faster shift to sustainable agrifood systems will bring many benefits and help usher in better lives for all.”
Key commodity findings
- Cereals. According to the outlook, the demand for growth in cereals production is projected to slow, in part as per capita food consumption of most cereals is reaching saturation levels in many countries. In 2032, it is estimated that 41% of all cereals will be directly consumed by humans, 37% will be used for animal feeds. Biofuels and other industrial uses will account for the rest.
- Crops. Global crop production growth will mainly be driven by continued progress in plant breeding and a transition to more intensive production systems. Yield improvements are projected to account for 79% of global crop production growth, cropland expansion for 15%, and higher cropping intensity for 6% over the outlook period.
- Meat. Global average per capita consumption of meat is projected to increase by 0.1% annually, mostly driven by middle and lower-income countries. Worldwide demand for meat is expected to increase through 2032, but per-capita consumption levels in high-income countries are projected to decline in the coming decade, led by drops in Western Europe and North America.
- Fish. Fish available for food consumption is expected to grow everywhere, and fastest in Africa, but projected rapid population growth in this region will limit per capita consumption increases.
- Poultry. Global production of livestock and fish is projected to expand by 1.3% annually over the next decade, slower than seen in the recent past. Poultry meat is projected to account for almost half the increase in total meat production through 2032.
- Dairy. World milk production is projected to grow at 1.5% annually over the next decade, with more than half the increase coming from India and Pakistan, which together will account for almost a third of global milk output in 2032. Milk production in the European Union is projected to decline slightly due to the ongoing transition towards more environmentally sustainable production systems.
Global trade growth slows
The report predicts global trade in agricultural commodities to expand by 1.3% annually -- half the pace recorded in the past decade -- due mostly to slower growth in demand by middle-income countries. Corn, wheat and soybeans contributed the most to the overall agricultural trade growth in the past decade, however, they are projected to experience the biggest drop in trade growth over the next 10 years.
- Asia. After becoming a net importer of agricultural commodities in recent years, South and Southeast Asia’s net imports are projected to increase further, driven mainly by continuing strong demand growth within the region.
- Africa. Sub-Saharan Africa’s trade deficit in major food items is projected to almost double by 2032, largely reflecting rapid population growth compared to other regions.
- Latin America. In Latin America, the agricultural trade surplus is expected to expand by 17%, raising the exported share of agricultural production to 40% by 2032.
- North America. North America is projected to remain the second largest exporter of agricultural commodities to world markets over the next 10 years, but strong domestic consumption growth is expected to slightly curb its net export position. The region’s agricultural sector may play a key stabilizing role allowing it to expand production to normalize high-price cycles.
Climate change and agriculture
Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture are expected to increase by 7.5% in the next decade – just less than half the projected output growth – indicating a significant fall in the carbon intensity of agricultural production, said the outlook. The livestock sector is projected to account for 86% of the increased emissions.
The report projects declining greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture in North America and rising emissions in sub-Saharan Africa as crop and livestock production rises, underscoring the importance of transformative investments in the region’s agrifood systems.
Agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in Latin America are projected to remain higher than the region’s share of global output.
