Food

Global food production, supply chains, and food security in one place.

Global Food Production

World food production has grown over the past decades. FAO data show global cereal production (wheat, rice, maize, etc.) at over 2.8 billion tonnes per year; maize, wheat, and rice each exceed 700–800 million tonnes. Major producers: China and India (cereals, rice, wheat), United States (maize, soybeans), Brazil (soybeans, sugar, beef), European Union (wheat, dairy). Agriculture uses about 70% of global freshwater withdrawals. Despite sufficient global supply, distribution and access remain uneven—in 2024 about 673 million people were undernourished and 2.3 billion faced moderate or severe food insecurity.

Crops and Livestock

Grains provide most of the world’s calories. Rice and wheat dominate in Asia; maize is central in the Americas and Africa. Livestock and aquaculture supply protein; global meat production exceeds 350 million tonnes per year. Production is concentrated in some regions, so trade is vital for many countries’ food supply.

Food Supply and Trade

International trade in food helps balance supply and demand. Countries that cannot produce enough import cereals, vegetable oils, and other staples. Exporting nations rely on stable markets and logistics. Disruptions—such as conflict, pandemics, or extreme weather—can push up prices and reduce access, especially for the poorest.

Food Security

Food security means people have physical and economic access to enough safe, nutritious food. It depends on availability, access, use, and stability. Even when global supply is sufficient, inequality, poverty, and poor infrastructure can leave millions without enough food.

Challenges and Trends

Population growth, urbanisation, and changing diets increase demand. At the same time, land and water are limited, and agriculture contributes to emissions and environmental damage. Sustainable intensification, reduced waste, and fairer distribution are key to feeding the world without undermining the environment.

Data and Updates

Food and agriculture statistics come from the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), UN, and World Bank. Key indicators include cereal production (wheat, rice, maize), livestock and aquaculture output, and trade flows. We update this platform every six months so that figures reflect the latest available international data. For country-level food and hunger data, see Countries and the Undernourishment page.