G/AG/GEN/195  
 
3 March 2022  
(22-1974) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Agriculture  Original: English  
 
 
BACKGROUND DOCUMENT TO THE 100TH WTO REGULAR MEETING  
OF THE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE  
 
"COVID -19 AND AGRICULTURE"  
 
Submission by the World Food Programme (WFP)  
The following submission, dated 2 March  2022, is being circulated at the request of the World Food 
Programme (WFP ). 
 
_______________  
 
 
1.1.  The world is not moving towards but away from zero hunger. Behind this trend lies a less 
peaceful world faced with ever more climate -related disasters and recurrent economic setbacks, 
most recently due in large part to the COVID -19 pandemic. These shocks amplify each other and 
unfold in a damaging way for millions of people across the world due to structural vulnerabilities, 
which are further entrenched by deepening e nvironmental, demographic, economic and social 
stressors.  
1.2.  According to the latest WFP-FAO Hotspot Analysis report  (January 2022), organized violence 
or conflict remain the primary drivers for acute hunger. Weather extremes such as tropical storms, 
hurricanes, flooding, drought and climate variability remain significant drivers in some countries and 
regions. Global and national  economies are still grappling with the downfall resulting from the 
COVID -19 pandemic, while new variants bring new uncertainties which might further affect 
economies.  
1.3.  Overall, high food prices and low household purchasing power are major economic concern s 
for further increasing acute food insecurity. Across the 81 countries where WFP operates, up to 
276 million people are currently acutely food insecure or at high risk. Among them, 44 million people 
in 38 countries are teetering on the edge of famine.1 
1.4.  In addition to driving needs to unprecedented levels, the socio -economic fallout from the 
pandemic makes responding to existing crises even more complex. About 97  million more people 
have been pushed into extreme poverty as a result of the pandemic,2 and another 207  million are 
projected to remain unemployed this year.3 
1.5.  In parallel, the costs to deliver assistance have increased. While higher food and non -food 
prices are reducing the purchasing power of those already in need, also WFP operations are affec ted 
by higher procurement and shipping prices. WFP food procurement is currently 30 % more expensive 
than in 2019, resulting in additional costs of approximately USD  42 million per month.4 
WFP's operations are entirely funded through the generous voluntary contributions of donor 
 
1 WFP Global Operational Response Plan 2021 – Update #4, February 2022 , 
https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP -0000136949/download/ . 
2 World Bank. COVID -19 leaves a legacy of rising poverty and widening inequality.  7 October 2021.  
3 The International Labour Organization. ILO World Employment and Social Outlook – Trends 2022 . ILO, 
18 January 2022.  
4 WFP Global Operational Response Plan 2021 – Update #4, February 2022.  G/AG/GEN/ 195 
 
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  governments, institutions, corporations and individuals; hence, every cent of these contributions 
needs to be maximized.  
1.6.  Events unfolding in Ukraine pose new challenges t o WFP. The Black Sea basin is one of the 
world 's most important areas for grain and agricultural production, and the food security impact of 
the conflict will likely be felt beyond Ukraine 's borders. As over half of the grains WFP uses for its 
operations i s purchased in the Ukraine -Russia n Federation  area, a dramatic impact will be felt on 
food costs, shipping costs, oil and fuel. According to a recent statement made by WFP 's Executive 
Director: "This is catastrophe on top of catastrophe. "5 
1.7.  With an operati onal footprint in more than 80 countries, WFP 's mandate is to assist the most 
vulnerable populations, delivering life -saving food assistance and working with communities to 
improve their access to food, nutrition and build resilience.6 With 60 years ' experience delivering 
food assistance in some of the planet 's remotest and most insecure regions, WFP is a partner of 
choice in humanitarian response and also, increasingly, in the effort to achieve the Sustainable 
Development Goals.  
1.8.  In 2021, WFP was able to r each 124 million people with food, cash, and nutrition. WFP 's biggest 
planned operation in history has grown even bigger, with 137 million people targeted in 2022.7 
1.9.  Nearly 38 % of WFP 's food procurement in 2021 was sourced locally or regionally, in line wi th 
the corporate Local and Regional Food Procurement Policy.8 By connecting smallholder farmers to 
markets and purchasing their surplus production, WFP contributes to strengthening local economies 
and supporting the increased resilience and productivity o f rural communities – one of the pillars of 
its hunger eradication strategy.9 In-line with the "do no harm " principle mentioned in the 
WFP procurement policy, WFP 's food purchases are carried out when and where supplies exceed the 
demand, thus not putting  at risk the food security of supplying countries.  
1.10.   As we are marching towards a catastrophic year for hunger, well -functioning food supply 
chains are crucial to ensure WFP 's life-saving food assistance reaches those most in need. That is 
why WFP welcomes a ny measure adopted by World Trade Organization (WTO) Member s to facilitate 
the smooth movement of WFP 's humanitarian food assistance. In particular, WFP is very grateful to 
the over 80 WTO Member s who voluntarily committed not to impose export restrictions  on WFP 
foodstuff by signing the Joint Statement on Agriculture Export Prohibitions or Restrictions Relating 
to the World Food Programme . While the WTO 12th Ministerial Conference is approaching, it is our 
hope to see more Members joining the above -mentioned commitment, thus fostering the 
organization 's contribution to the achievement  of Sustainable Development Goal  2 on "Zero hunger ".  
 
 
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5 https://www.wfp.org/stories/world -food-programme -set-assist -thousands -refugees -ukraine . 
6 https://www.wfp.org/ overview . 
7 WFP Global Operational Response Plan 2021 – Update #4, February 2022.  
8 WFP Local and regional food procurement policy , November 2019, 
https://docs.wfp.org/api/document s/WFP -0000108552/download/ . 
9 https://www.wfp.org/purchase -for-progress .