World's record food bill is hitting poorer countries hardest

The world’s food-import bill is set to jump even more than expected to a record this year, increasing the threat of hunger, especially in the poorest nations.

Higher shipping rates and prices of foodstuffs from grains to vegetables are likely to drive the cost of importing food up by 14 per cent to $1.75 trillion, the United Nations said. It also warned of higher bills as farm inputs get more expensive. 

Food prices have climbed to the highest in a decade, further pressuring household budgets strained by the pandemic and rising energy bills. A particular worry is that food-import costs in poor