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Disasters inflict a staggering $3.26 trillion loss on global agriculture, says FAO report
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Tuesday, 18 November, 2025, 14 : 00 PM [IST]
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Rome, Italy
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A groundbreaking report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reveals that disasters have wiped out an estimated $3.26 trillion in global agricultural output over the past 33 years the equivalent of about $99 billion annually, or nearly 4% of the world’s agricultural GDP.
Titled “The Impact of Disasters on Agriculture and Food Security 2025”, the study offers the most comprehensive global assessment to date of how extreme events — from droughts and floods to pest outbreaks and marine heatwaves are disrupting food production, nutritional security, and rural livelihoods.
Over the period from 1991 to 2023, disasters destroyed 4.6 billion tonnes of cereals, 2.8 billion tonnes of fruits and vegetables, and 900 million tonnes of meat and dairy, according to the report. The FAO estimates that this loss translates into a daily per capita energy drop of 320 kilocalories roughly 13–16% of average daily needs, underscoring the hidden human cost of these events.
Regionally, Asia suffered the largest financial hit $1.53 trillion, accounting for 47% of losses reflecting both its massive agricultural output and high disaster exposure. The Americas lost around $713 billion, driven by extreme weather events like hurricanes and droughts, while Africa recorded losses of about $611 billion, which represents 7.4% of its agricultural GDP the highest proportion among major regions.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) also face disproportionate damage, as cyclones, rising seas, and floods pose a grave risk to their economies and food systems. Meanwhile, the fisheries sector has not been spared: marine heatwaves alone accounted for $6.6 billion in losses between 1985 and 2022, affecting nearly 15% of global fisheries.
But the report also brings a message of hope — and action. It highlights how digital technologies are shifting the paradigm from reactive disaster response to proactive risk reduction. Tools such as AI, remote sensing, parametric insurance, and early warning systems are helping farmers and communities anticipate threats, strengthen decision-making, and protect their livelihoods.
Despite this progress, the FAO warns that more must be done: many smallholders, women, youth, and indigenous farmers remain digitally excluded. It calls on governments and global partners to scale up digital infrastructure, capacity-building, and policy coherence to ensure that innovation reaches the most vulnerable — building truly resilient agrifood systems for the future.
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