The recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Europe and the introduction of an exotic virus strain into the Near East underscore the urgent need for early detection and enhanced biosecurity measures to minimize the impacts of the disease, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The benchmark measure of world food commodity prices increased in April, driven by higher quotations for major cereals, meat and dairy products, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported on Friday.

In this opinion piece published in Agri-Pulse, Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol explains how the global spread of avian influenza is no longer just an agricultural issue—it is a global public health emergency in the making.

The FAO Food Price Index, a benchmark of world food commodity price developments, remained largely unchanged in March from its revised February value, as declines in world cereal and sugar quotations offset a notable increase in vegetable oil prices, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported.

In the world of international food standards, a key committee is preparing for a significant task: establishing a group standard for whole millet grains. Ken Lowery, United States of America, a long-serving delegates within the Codex Alimentarius Commission, steps into the chair's role for CCCPL11, bringing nearly two decades of experience to the table.

What does "innovation" truly mean in the context of agriculture and food security? How can emerging technologies like artificial intelligence be harnessed responsibly to address these global challenges? And what role can international organizations, governments, and even individual citizens play in shaping a more sustainable and food-secure future? To explore these crucial questions, FAO Newsroom spoke with Vincent Martin, Director of the FAO Office of Innovation. 

The 11th session of the newly re-activated Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes has got underway by correspondence in order to start work on a group standard for whole millet grains.

A new study led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and research partners highlights that improving livestock productivity is key to achieving substantial reductions in global antibiotic use.

Without targeted interventions, antibiotic use in livestock is projected to rise nearly 30% by 2040. However, the new research, published in Nature Communications, finds that strategic productivity gains in livestock systems could cut projected antibiotic use by half.

The 55th session of the Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) has concluded in Seoul, Republic of Korea, with the adoption of the report and an acknowledgement of the spirit of compromise and collaboration that underscored fruitful discussions.

FAO launched a new publication to address the management of health emergencies in response to the rise in highly pathogenic avian influenza cases in some countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.  The report, Emergency, and Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean, gathers regional experiences on the collaborative efforts undertaken by 15 countries in the region between 2022 and 2024.  

The use of electronic phytosanitary certificates – ePhytos – to export plants and plant products results in lower trade costs and higher margins for exporters, faster delivery of fresh fruits and vegetables, and, ultimately, increased agrifood trade. These are among the findings of Investing in trade digitalization: the case of ePhyto, a new report by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The 19th Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-19) opened today at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters in Rome, bringing together global experts, policymakers, and stakeholders for a week of discussions on strengthening international phytosanitary standards, addressing the increasing risks posed by plant pests and diseases, and advancing digital solutions for safe trade. 

The ongoing occurrence of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks across the world has highlighted the urgent need for actions to improve biosecurity, enhance surveillance, rapid response mechanisms, strategic risk monitoring and communication to safeguard the poultry sector and protect livelihoods and economies. The session will provide an update to FAO Members on the current avian influenza challenge, outline FAO’s support actions and strategic initiatives, and share information on the 3rd call for proposals for the Pandemic Fund.

The spread of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, bringing losses of hundreds of millions of poultry worldwide with increased spillover into mammals, highlights the urgent need for strengthened biosecurity, monitoring and surveillance, rapid-response mechanisms, and risk communication to safeguard the poultry sector and protect livelihoods and economies. That was the message from a briefing by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to Member countries here today.

World coffee prices reached a multi-year high in 2024 - increasing 38.8 percent on the previous year’s average – mostly driven by inclement weather affecting key producing countries, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said today.

Mogadishu -  New data from Somalia shows that 4.4 million people could face hunger by April 2025, driven by worsening drought conditions, conflict and high food prices. 

The 23rd session of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV) has opened in Mexico City, with a warm welcome from Mexico’s Minister of the Economy and Under Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and opening remarks from the Codex Vice Chairperson, Codex Secretary and CCFFV Chairperson.

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat donated 40 tablets to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) of Sierra Leone, to boost the country’s capacity to monitor pests and develop effective strategies to prevent and control outbreaks. Pests and diseases are major agricultural production and productivity bottlenecks in Sierra Leone requiring adequate, well-equipped phytosanitary personnel to effectively manage them and protect the country’s agriculture and trade

Many countries around the world are currently facing ongoing outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF). This viral haemorrhagic disease has a mortality rate of nearly 100 percent among both domestic and wild pigs, and at the moment no effective vaccine or treatment.

Rome – The FAO Food Price Index, the benchmark for world food commodity prices, declined in January, averaging 124.9 points during the month, down 1.6 percent from its December level. The drop was driven by significant decreases in the international quotations for vegetable oils and sugar, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reported Friday.