Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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November 14, 2025 Climate and environment
Over the past 33 years, natural disasters have caused $3.26 trillion in damage to global agriculture (US$99 billion annually), representing approximately four percent of global agricultural GDP. This is according to a new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), "The Impact of Disasters on Agriculture and Food Security."
The document represents the largest global study to date on the impacts of natural disasters—from droughts and floods to pest outbreaks and marine heatwaves. The report also demonstrates how digital technologies are helping to shift from crisis response to crisis prevention.
Losses and regional imbalances
From 1991 to 2023, 4.6 billion tons of grain, 2.8 billion tons of fruits and vegetables, and 900 million tons of meat and dairy products were lost due to natural disasters. This is equivalent to a reduction of 320 kilocalories in the human daily diet, or 13-16 percent of average energy needs.
The largest absolute losses were in Asia, at $1.53 trillion (47 percent of global losses), reflecting both the scale of production and the region's high vulnerability to floods, storms, and droughts.
North and South America collectively lost $713 billion (22 percent), primarily due to droughts, hurricanes and extreme temperatures.
Africa suffered losses of 611 billion, but it was here that the damage was the most significant in relative terms – 7.4 percent of agricultural GDP.
Small island states remain particularly vulnerable, with losses accounting for a disproportionately high share of agricultural GDP. Marine heatwaves caused $6.6 billion in losses, affecting 15 percent of the world's fisheries, yet losses in aquaculture remain underestimated – despite the industry providing livelihoods for 500 million people.
Digital revolution in the agricultural sector
The FAO emphasizes that digital technologies are becoming a key tool for risk reduction. Artificial intelligence, remote sensing, mobile communications, drones, and sensors provide localized data in real time, improving early warning, insurance, and preventative measures.
Successful solutions include the SoilFER platform for sustainable farming, the FAMEWS system for monitoring caterpillar infestations, and the Climate Risk Toolbox, which has been used in over 200 projects. More than nine million farmers already use digital platforms, and early warnings enable the evacuation of up to 90 percent of the population in risk areas.
Digitalization must be inclusive
Despite significant progress, more than 2.6 billion people worldwide remain digitally excluded, primarily in rural areas that are most vulnerable to disasters. The FAO emphasizes that technology must be people-centered and supported by skills development, institutional support, and policy reform.
The organization calls on governments, international partners and the private sector to invest massively in digital infrastructure, integrate innovation into national strategies and ensure greater access to digital technologies for smallholder farmers, women, youth and indigenous peoples.
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