The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 and the measures taken to contain it across countries put global food and agricultural markets to a test. National agrifood systems stretched but continued to provide adequate, nutritious and safe food worldwide.

Despite the significant restrictions on people’s movements and the uncertainty that settled upon the world, international trade continued to link food surplus areas with those in deficit, which safeguarded food security and nutrition globally. Unlike what happened during the 2008 global food price crisis, global cooperation was sustained, and this allowed agricultural trade policies to support well-functioning global markets.

Today, conflict in one of the breadbaskets of the world threatens global food security in multiple ways, including through the disruption of global food and agricultural markets. The war in Ukraine has not only resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis and a looming increase in global food insecurity, but also in the potential break-up of global cooperation in trade.

Global cooperation in agricultural trade policies can address global challenges, such as economic crises, pandemics, conflicts and climate change, and it can contribute towards food security and healthy diets for all.

Since 1995, the establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its multilateral trade rules have provided a freer, fairer and more predictable trade environment and, together with a plethora of regional trade agreements, have promoted food and agricultural trade and economic growth.