Rome: A refined study by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) involving 156 countries confirms that hidden costs within global agrifood systems amount to approximately $12 trillion annually. Of this figure, around 70 percent ($8.1 trillion) arise from unhealthy dietary patterns and are linked to alarming non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, far exceeding the costs related to environmental degradation and social inequalities.
According to Emirates News Agency, the study details how global hidden costs are largely driven by health hidden costs, followed by environmental hidden costs, in more industrialized agrifood systems in upper-middle- and high-income countries. In examining health impacts, the report identifies 13 dietary risk factors. These include insufficient intake of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables; excessive sodium consumption; and high intake of red and processed meats, with notable differences across various agrifood system
s.
Overall, the report calls for a value-driven transformation of agrifood systems to make them more sustainable, resilient, inclusive, and efficient. This requires going beyond traditional economic measures like GDP by utilizing true cost accounting to recognize hidden costs. With this approach, decision-makers can make more informed choices that enhance the societal value of agrifood systems, acknowledging their essential roles in food security, nutrition, biodiversity conservation, and cultural identity. Achieving this transformation also demands bridging sectoral divides, aligning policies across health, agriculture, and the environment, and ensuring that the benefits and costs are equitably shared among all stakeholders.
“The choices we make now, the priorities we set and the solutions we implement will determine our shared future. Real change begins with individual actions and initiatives, supported by enabling policies and targeted investments. The transformation of global agrifood systems is fundame
ntal to achieving the SDGs and securing a prosperous future for all,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu.
