FAO forecasts record global food imports in 2025

Global food imports are set to reach a record $2.22 trillion in 2025, nearly 8% higher than in 2024. According to FAO’s November report, this marks the second consecutive year of growth following a temporary decline in 2023. Analysts note that despite some price drops for staple foods such as cereals, overall import volumes continue to rise.

FAO experts explain that the main driver is the increased demand for higher-value products. These categories account for the bulk of growth in the global market, while traditional commodities show more modest increases or even declines.

Key trends include a sharp rise in imports of beverages and spices: coffee, tea, cocoa, and spices are expected to grow 34.5% to $65.2 billion, the highest annual increase in more than a decade. Imports of dairy products are projected to rise by 16.4% ($20.9 billion), and oils and fats by 10.6% ($16.7 billion). At the same time, global cereal imports are expected to decline by about 3% ($9.3 billion) and sugar by nearly 9% ($7.3 billion) due to falling world prices for these commodities.

Tags: agricultural products, FAO, food