UN Food Security Report Finds $540BN in Farm Subsidies Locked Into Commodities That Crowd Out Plant Foods

The 2026 edition of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World highlights how agricultural subsidies, totaling around $540 billion annually, primarily support commodities like grains, sugar, dairy, beef, and oil crops, which crowd out plant foods. This concentration of support has led to cheaper prices for subsidized commodities, making it harder for fruits, vegetables, and legumes to compete in the market. Legumes, in particular, have been underfunded and neglected by historical agricultural policy, impacting yield improvements and processing bottlenecks. Redirecting existing producer support towards underfunded nutrient-dense food groups could increase fruit and vegetable consumption by roughly 10% in OECD countries without additional spending.

The report also emphasizes that intensification of the meat and dairy sector in Europe is unnecessary due to already low prices and capital-intensive production systems. As animal source foods, fruits, and vegetables account for a significant portion of the cost of a healthy diet globally, the report warns against solely focusing on lowering retail prices without considering the hidden costs of diet-related diseases. The redistribution of support towards healthier food options may come with trade-offs, such as potential increases in staple cereal prices, affecting low-income consumers dependent on them.