Global food markets are facing increasing pressure from conflict, climate extremes, economic uncertainty, and supply chain disruptions. Yet despite these shocks, global food markets often recover quickly and regain their equilibrium. But the resulting food price spikes can have severe consequences for food security, underscoring the importance of international cooperation.
In this episode of The Work We Do, we speak with FAO Senior Economist George Rapsomanikis and Economist Andrea Zimmermann about The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO) 2026. They examine how shocks affect food trade and its implications for food security, what makes global markets resilient, and why international cooperation matters more than ever.
1:40 Are there more shocks?
4:04 Different types of shocks
7:19 Characteristics of resilient markets
9:12 Can markets absorb shocks?
14:15 Ukraine, Hormuz, and trade risks
16:11 How fast does market recover?
20:20 Why food prices remain volatile
21:59 The role of policy and international cooperation
