Food security

Food surplus and deficit

is when everyone has enough affordable, nutritious food to lead a healthy, active life. is when they don't.

Countries with a produce more than they need, such as the USA and much of Europe.
Countries with a produce less than they need and can't always afford to import enough.

According to the UN, about 673 million people faced hunger in 2024, 8.2% of the world's population. The highest rates are in sub-Saharan Africa, where more than 20% of people faced hunger, and parts of Asia.

Key terms

Why consumption is rising

The world needs more food every year:

Population growth: more people to feed.
as people in NEEs, such as China and India, get richer, they eat more, and more meat and dairy. Producing meat needs far more land, water and crops for animal feed than growing food for people directly.
Changing tastes: people want a wider range of foods all year round.
city dwellers buy more processed food, and fewer people grow their own.

Key terms

What affects food supply

Climate: droughts, floods and extreme heat can destroy crops. Climate change is making some places drier.
too little water for crops and animals.
Technology: machinery, fertilisers, irrigation and better seeds raise yields, but many poor farmers can't afford them.
Pests and diseases: locusts and crop diseases can wipe out harvests.
Poverty: poor families can't buy enough food, or the seeds and tools to grow it.
Conflict: war destroys farms, drives farmers off their land and blocks trade.

Key terms

The impacts of food insecurity

a severe, widespread shortage of food, leading to starvation and death.
too little food, or food lacking the right nutrients. Children grow less, learn less well and are more likely to get ill.
desperate farmers overuse land, or clear forest, and the bare soil washes or blows away, so even less food can be grown.
Rising prices: shortages push food prices up, hitting the poorest hardest.
Social unrest: high food prices and shortages can lead to protests and conflict.

Exam tip

Link each impact to a cause, as a chain: drought, poor harvest, high prices, undernutrition.

Key terms

Exam practice

Plan your own answer first, then open the model answers to see what each level looks like.

6 marks · about 6 minutes

Explain the factors that affect food supply.

Explain means: Give the reasons why something happens, developing each point with "because" or "so".

Level 1 (Basic)· 2/6 marks (band 1–2)

Droughts and pests can destroy crops. Poor farmers can't afford machines.

Why this level: Relevant factors, stated simply. To reach Level 2: explain how each factor affects how much food is produced or can be bought.

Level 2 (Clear)· 4/6 marks (band 3–4)

Climate affects food supply: droughts, floods and extreme heat can destroy crops. Pests such as locusts can wipe out whole harvests. Technology, such as machinery and fertilisers, raises yields, but many poor farmers can't afford it, so their yields stay low.

Why this level: Clear physical and human factors, each explained. To reach Level 3: develop more factors, such as water stress, poverty and conflict.

Level 3 (Detailed)· 6/6 marks (band 5–6)

Physical factors affect food supply. Climate matters: droughts, floods and extreme heat can destroy crops, and climate change is making some places drier. Water stress leaves too little water for crops and animals. Pests and diseases, such as locusts, can wipe out whole harvests. Human factors matter too. Technology, such as machinery, fertilisers and better seeds, raises yields, but many poor farmers can't afford it, so their yields stay low. Poverty also stops families buying food or seeds even when food is available. Conflict destroys farms, drives farmers from their land and blocks the trade that would bring food in.

Why this level: Detailed explanation of physical and human factors, each linked to supply or access. This is Level 3.

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