The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has disclosed in its 2024 State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) report that the global agrifood systems incur substantial concealed expenses, amounting to nearly $12 trillion each year. Of this total, over two-thirds—approximately $8.1 trillion—is associated with the health repercussions of poor diets, contributing to an increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
These health-related costs surpass those linked to environmental damage and social inequity, emphasizing the critical necessity for reform in global food systems.
The latest report on the FAO website highlights the findings of this year’s State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) report, building on insights from 2023. This year’s report uses “true cost accounting” to uncover the hidden impacts of food production and consumption that are not reflected in market prices, shedding light on the full scope of challenges facing agrifood systems.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasized the importance of transformation, saying, “True change starts with personal efforts and initiatives, backed by supportive policies and focused investments.” He stated that revamping global agrifood systems is vital for reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and securing a prosperous future for everyone.
The FAO emphasizes minimizing these hidden expenses, particularly within industrialized food systems common in affluent nations. The main strategies suggested involving promoting sustainable agricultural practices, making healthy food more accessible, lowering greenhouse gas emissions through recognized standards, and equipping consumers with enhanced knowledge about the environmental and health consequences of their dietary decisions.
FAO’s repeated focus on this theme for a second consecutive year underscores the agency’s call for urgent action, emphasizing that “the choices we make now…will determine our shared future,” according to Dongyu.
