Food Security Index — August 2026: 39.9

The Food Security Index started August at its lowest point of 31 before experiencing several ups and downs. Tensions were pushed higher by conflict and severe weather damaging major global food production, along with stalled grain exports as Ukraine increased attacks on Russia. A brief period of relief occurred when Ukrainian farmers faced difficulties selling their harvest amid ongoing war and drought, dropping the index by 5 points. However, disruptions in Black Sea grain terminals, blockaded harvests, and trade issues in the Strait of Hormuz kept overall pressures high. Driven by these ongoing trade and conflict challenges, the index peaked at 54 on August 28 and ended the month with an average score of 39.9.

Peak 54 on 2026-08-28 · low 31 on 2026-08-01 · locked record · ← July · Food Security Index timeline · September → · World Tension, same month

• Strait of Hormuz disruption hits energy, fertilizer and industrial trade UN News · 2026-08-04
• Ukraine's farmers despair as Russia's Black Sea blockade traps their harvest reuters.com · 2026-08-13
• EXCLUSIVE: Ukraine cuts grain export forecast due to Russia attack on seaports reuters.com · 2026-08-10
• Russia warns of global food market ‘chaos’ after Ukraine hits grain terminals South China Morning Post · 2026-08-13
• Grain exports stall as Ukraine steps up attacks on Russia DW.com · 2026-08-25
• Russian Strikes on Dozens of Grain Ships Threaten Global Food Supplies The New York Times · 2026-08-13
• Security Council LIVE: Warnings of famine and collapse as South Sudan's peace deal frays UN News · 2026-08-06
• Ukraine's farmers struggle to sell harvest amid war, drought DW.com · 2026-08-21

• Security Council LIVE: Warnings of famine and collapse as South Sudan's peace deal frays