Food insecurity is a distribution problem, not production

There is no global food shortage because we produce more than enough food to feed everyone in the world. We produce so much food globally yet one–third of it – 1.3 billion tons – is wasted. According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), all that wasted food is enough to feed 1.26 billion people: almost twice the number of undernourished people across the globe.

So, if there’s enough food for everyone in the world, why do some countries face food shortages? It’s mostly due to a lack of access to food, technology and resilient food production systems.

What Causes Food Shortages Around the World?

Some countries and regions can’t provide enough food for their people. Why does this happen?

Without enough:

People with skills like scientists, farmers, and logistics and transport experts who uphold efficient food systems

Financial capital

And environmental resources like arable land and water needed to grow food,

a country may be unable to provide enough food for its people.

In low-income countries especially, a lack of resources can also lead to high rates of food loss during the early stages of growth, harvest and storage. For example, poor storage can lead to infestations or mold that ruin food before it can be eaten.

Or, a country might produce or be able to import enough food for its population but shocks like climate disasters or political upheaval prevent the equitable distribution of food to vulnerable or isolated communities. Those communities then lose access to food and can experience a shortage. And bigger disruptors, like war, can stop trade or destroy food systems entirely.