Healthy eating still out of reach for billions
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The cost of a healthy diet has risen 25 percent over the past five years, rendering it unaffordable for one-third of the world's population, according to United Nations data. To maintain a nutritious diet, an individual now needs to spend an average of US$4.28, adjusted for purchasing power parity, as reported by the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation's (FAO) 2026 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World study.
As a consequence, 2.69 billion people — nearly one in every three individuals worldwide — cannot afford a healthy diet, Maximo Torero Cullen, the FAO chief economist, announced at a press conference at UN headquarters in New York. Torero clarified that the cost disparities are not evenly distributed — staples like beans and grains represent 13 percent of a healthy diet's expense, animal products account for nearly 30 percent, and fruits and vegetables comprise 16 percent.
The primary issue lies not in producing enough calories, but rather in making nutrient-rich foods more accessible, Torero stated. He emphasized that local food production would substantially lower the costs associated with a balanced diet. In Africa, for instance, costs could be reduced by nearly 80 percent through the consumption of locally sourced foods compared to a global food standard.
Torero advised redirecting government subsidies towards nutrient-rich foods such as beans and grains, as opposed to staples like rice and wheat. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of investing in local infrastructure and logistics, as approximately 70 to 75 percent of a healthy diet's cost is incurred after the food leaves the farm.
Torero pinpointed Latin America, particularly the Caribbean, as the region with the highest expenses, potentially due to the emphasis on exporting food products rather than generating sufficient local supplies. For the upcoming year, Torero warned of two uncertain factors that could impact food prices: the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which would exacerbate the global fertilizer supply disruption, and the effects of the unusually strong El Nino weather pattern, anticipated to peak by year-end.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
