Food Security Index — April 2026: 40.1

The Food Security Index averaged 40.1 in April 2026, reaching a low of 34 on April 9 before hitting a peak of 56 on April 25. Tensions were pushed up by concerns surrounding the Iran war and conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, which sparked fears of a historic hunger crisis, rising food and energy costs, and threats to global rice supplies. Additional strain came from fertilizer market risks caused by the Middle East conflict, especially for countries like Brazil and the U.S. Some relief occurred early in the month due to flattening grain demand in China, alongside advancements in 3D printing electronics by rice researchers. However, even with a Middle East ceasefire, fertilizer price pressures on farmers failed to ease, leaving elevated concerns as the month ended.

Scores in this month were computed by the first-generation engine (v1).

Peak 56 on 2026-04-25 · low 34 on 2026-04-09 · locked record · · Food Security Index timeline · May → · World Tension, same month

• How the Iran War Could Drive a Historic Hunger Crisis Think Global Health · 2026-04-01
• The Iran conflict is hiking food prices alongside energy costs George W. Bush Presidential Center · 2026-04-23
• From surplus to strain: world rice supply threatened by Iran war, El Nino reuters.com · 2026-04-30
• How the Conflict in the Strait of Hormuz Could Affect Global Agriculture Prices Goldman Sachs · 2026-04-01
• Middle East Conflict Revives Concerns Over Fertilizer Dependence in the U.S. and Brazil - Purdue University College of Agriculture · 2026-04-20
• Grocery shock on the horizon for approaching U.S. elections as Iran war drags on CNBC · 2026-04-02
• The Iran war’s impacts on global fertilizer markets and food production IFPRI · 2026-04-01
• Expert explains why the war in the Middle East is making fertilizer more expensive Virginia Tech News · 2026-04-28

• Middle East Ceasefire Fails to Ease U.S. Fertilizer Price Pressure on Farmers