The Covid-19 pandemic has worsened the world’s situation regarding food security and nutrition. A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) points out that up to 161 million more people are affected by hunger partly because of the pandemic. It is projected that between 720 and 811 million people in the world faced hunger in 2020. Only in Latin America and the Caribbean, about 14 million more people are facing hunger.

Food insecurity is still a huge challenge around the world, as 2.37 billion people do not have access to adequate food and 12 percent of the global population is severely food insecure. Also, the report shows that around 660 million people may still be affected by hunger in 2030, partly due to long-term effects of the pandemic.

World agriculture will have to increase food production by 70% between now and 2050 to meet the needs of a population estimated at 9.7 billion people. The statement was made by Alan Bojanic, former representative of FAO in Brazil.

BRAZIL IS THE WORLD'S SECOND LARGEST AGRICULTURAL EXPORTER AND ONE OF THE LEADING SUPPLIERS GLOBALLY

Brazil is the third largest food producer, after China and the United States, and is the second largest exporter, behind the U.S. But it can do more. It has many areas legally arable and available, has a favorable climate for producing practically all year long and has the technological know-how to produce in originally infertile soils of low-latitude tropical climates. Because of this potential, Brazil is widely considered as the main hope for additional food production that will be needed worldwide in the next 30 years.

The global expectation is that Brazil will contribute to 40% of the planet's future additional food demand. Brazil is in a good position to take on this challenge, not only because of land availability, favorable climate conditions and abundance of water, but also because of the efficiency and sustainability of its production processes, which has attracted the world’s attention given its status as a tropical and emerging country.

Brazil is the sixth most populous country, with more than 200 million inhabitants, and is among the largest economies in the world in terms of GDP.

"Brazil is increasingly perceived as a reliable and relevant partner in ensuring food security, a role that has gained even more prominence in the face of the challenges of the pandemic. When many countries reduced their exports, Brazil continued to supply food to the world. The country can expand its portfolio of exported products in potential markets such as China, India and North African countries," says Grazielle Parenti, president of ABIA's Board of Directors.

Sources: Canal Rural, FAO, World Bank (GDP, current US$; Population, total)

Considering this goal of increasing food security and reaching a better nutrition state around the world, Brazilian agribusiness is greatly represented by one of the world’s largest events in the agricultural sector: Agrishow brings together people, technologies, and business opportunities that go beyond borders and contribute to shaping agriculture’s future in Brazil and around the world.