Record El Niño threatens global food security, 49 million face acute hunger by 2027

September 23, 2026 at 07:17 AM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

A record El Niño is expected to trigger severe drought in Asia and extreme weather worldwide, threatening food security for millions. The UN World Food Programme projects at least 49 million more people will face acute food shortages by the end of 2027. Southeast Asia, already strained by an energy crisis, is among the most vulnerable regions.

Key Facts

The UK Met Office says the strengthening El Niño could be the strongest on record.
The US NOAA gives a 69% probability that this will be the strongest El Niño since records began in 1950.
The UN World Food Programme projects at least 49 million more people will face acute food shortages by the end of 2027.
Indonesia's Jatiluhur reservoir, which supplies Jakarta, is falling centimeter by centimeter.
India, Vietnam, and Thailand — the world's three largest rice exporters — are among the countries likely to be hit hard by El Niño this year.

Record El Niño Forecast

The UK Met Office says the strengthening El Niño could be the strongest on record. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gives a 69% probability that this will be the strongest El Niño since records began in 1950. El Niño is expected to trigger new extremes of drought, heatwaves, floods, and other climate disruptions in South America, Africa, and Asia.

Food Security Impact

The UN World Food Programme projects at least 49 million more people will face acute food shortages by the end of 2027. The problem will be most acute in parts of Central America and southern Africa, with significant impacts also expected in East Africa, South and Southeast Asia. Rice and palm oil supplies are under threat as drought may force farmers to delay planting, reduce acreage, or switch crops entirely. India, Vietnam, and Thailand — the world's three largest rice exporters — are among the countries likely to be hit hard by El Niño this year.

Southeast Asia Strain

Forest fires in Indonesia are destroying forests and peatlands, while water levels in the Jatiluhur reservoir supplying Jakarta are falling centimeter by centimeter. Erma Yulihastin of Indonesia's Climate and Atmosphere Research Center said El Niño has only begun its super phase. Reduced rainfall and higher temperatures are pressuring fisheries in Southeast Asia, and the Mekong River basin is also disrupted by mining and hydropower construction.