Global Food System: The Crisis of Market Concentration

Despite producing enough food to feed everyone, over 800 million people are hungry and more than 2 billion struggle with limited access to food. Market concentration, driven by mergers and acquisitions, has exacerbated this crisis, empowering a few corporations while impacting farmers, consumers, and the environment negatively.

Over 800 million people worldwide face hunger daily, while more than 2 billion have insufficient access to food. This paradox persists even though today's global food system produces enough for everyone.

Contributing factors include natural disasters, war, fragile supply chains, and economic inequality. However, the root issues also lie in market concentration, where a few dominant corporations control significant parts of the food production and supply chain.

Market concentration results from increased mergers and acquisitions, concentrating power in fewer hands and reducing competition and transparency. This trend has seen significant investment from financial sectors, further sidelining sustainable food solutions.

The impact is felt across the board: farmers' bargaining power diminishes, workers' conditions worsen, prices rise, and environmental harm increases. To address these challenges, experts advocate for improved regulations and reforms aimed at reducing corporate concentration in the food system for a fairer and more sustainable future.

(With inputs from agencies.)