Global food price inflation surging
Third Horseman of the Apocalypse in Vasnetov’s 1887 painting (Wikipedia)
Many around the world are struggling to pay for food:
Global food prices hit two-year high, driven by vegetable oils and meat
August 13, 2025
Global prices for key food commodities rose in July, reversing a recent downward trend, according to data released recently by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The FAO’s global price index averaged 130.1 points in July, a 1.6% increase from June and its highest level since February 2023. This surge was primarily driven by a sharp jump in international prices for vegetable oils and meat.
The index for oilseeds climbed 7.1% from June, reaching its highest point in three years. …
Prices for meat also reached a historic high, with the index rising 1.2% to 127.3 points. This was driven by soaring prices for beef and lamb, linked to robust import demand from China and the United States, as well as the resumption of poultry exports from Brazil, the world’s largest exporter, which had been impacted by an avian flu outbreak. …
Observers note that the vegetable oils price index will remain one to watch in the coming months, https://northafricapost.com/89633-global-food-prices-hit-two-year-high-driven-by-vegetable-oils-and-meat.html
Global food prices surge to two-year high amid supply crunches
- Global Food Price Index hits highest level since February 2023, driven by surging vegetable oil and meat prices.
- Vegetable oils rise 7 percent to a three-year high amid lower palm oil output and biofuel demand for soy oil.
- Meat prices hit an all-time record due to strong U.S.-China demand and Brazil’s poultry rebound post-avian flu.
- Fragile states face heightened risk of food insecurity and political unrest as prices climb.
August 13, 2025
Historical context: 2008’s shadow returns
This year’s price surge echoes unsettling parallels to 2008, when soybean prices peaking at $7.30 per pound preceded a global financial crisis. Analysts at Moody’s warned the FAO’s July figures “signal a turning point,” as prices now sit 7.6 percent above their year-ago levels and 43 percent higher than pandemic lows.
“Food inflation doesn’t just impact dinner tables — it threatens political stability,” said Dr. Sarah Brandt, a food security researcher at the Institute for Global Economic Studies. She highlighted that in 2008, wheat prices hitting $350 per metric ton (up from 180 in 2006) sparked riots in 30 countries. Today’s crisis, if unchecked, could repeat such instability, she argued, citing Somalia and Yemen as current hotspots where hunger rates are spiking.
Supply chain vulnerabilities highlighted
Eagle-eyed observers note the report underscores reliance on volatile export corridors. Ukraine’s ongoing sunflower oil supply cuts—its Black Sea exports remain below pre-war levels—continue to pressure prices. Meanwhile, Indonesia’s palm oil policies signal a broader trend of food nationalism, as governments prioritize domestic supply control. “For national security, this means more than stockpiling,” said Michael Lombari of the Heritage Foundation. “It’s about incentivizing local production.” …
The UN’s findings are worrying for import-dependent nations, where food inflation historically triggers political unrest. Lebanon, for example, relies on wheat imports from Ukraine and Morocco; its inflation rate surged 141% in early 2025.
World Bank data shows 34 low-income countries now face critical food supply shortages, up from 22 last year. “When prices were this high in 2022, 32 million people tipped into famine. We’re headed there again,” said a spokesperson for the UN World Food Program. https://www.naturalnews.com/2025-08-13-global-food-prices-surge-two-year-high.html
Yes, there is food price inflation affecting many around the world.
There are also concerns in the USA. Notice the following reports:
Over Half the US Has Major Stress Over the Price of Food
August 11, 2025
Are you stressed out over food?
An AP NORC poll shows Food, housing, and health care costs are a source of major stress for many people
About half of the public consider the cost of groceries to be a major source of stress in their life right now, and 19% of those concerned have used deferred payment services to fund groceries at some point.
Overall, 29% of the public have ever used deferred payment services, sometimes called Buy Now Pay Later, for health care, entertainment, groceries, or restaurant meals. Use of these services is higher among adults under age 45 compared with older adults.
People experiencing economic stress are much more likely to use these services.
Fifty-three percent of adults report that grocery expenses are a major source of stress, and another 33% say they are a minor stress. About half also identify housing costs as a major concern. Additionally, 43% express stress related to their personal income and savings. Health care costs are also a major source of stress for 4 in 10 adults .Fewer report major stress from debt or the cost of child care.
Overall, 75% say one or more of these financial factors cause them major stress. These individuals with significant stressors in their life are more likely to use Buy Now Pay Later services than those who report minor or no stress. For example, 21% of people who experience any major stress have used Buy Now Pay Later services for medical or dental expenses, whereas 8% of those with minor or no stress.
86 percent of people stressed over food was somewhat of a surprise to me. 74 percent stressed over housing was not a surprise. …
Brace for Higher Food Prices
The Council on Foreign Relations says Consumers Should Brace Themselves for Higher Food Prices
Despite a rebound in gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter, U.S. growth in the first half of the year has clearly slowed. Meanwhile, the consumer price index (CPI) report in June registered a four-month high of 2.7 percent over the previous year. CFR Senior Fellow Rebecca Patterson foresees an increased likelihood of stagflation.
A particularly sensitive part of the CPI is the food index, which increased 0.3 percent in June 2025 and is up 3 percent year over year. Although this is not a staggering increase, rising food prices are a long-term trend that slowly tightens families’ weekly budgets. Many consumers are feeling anxious about prices at grocery stores and are already shifting their spending habits.
Looming tariffs present a potential threat to this system and American produce distributors. Under current USCMA trade rules, about 63 percent of agricultural imports from Canada and Mexico into the United States are exempt from tariffs. Food imports not covered by USMCA could be subject to increased tariffs threatened by the Trump administration, depending on the outcome of continuing negotiations and court cases. When asked about the future of the USMCA, which is up for renegotiation in July 2026, President Donald Trump explained that the agreement was a “transitional deal,” creating even greater uncertainty for American importers. https://mishtalk.com/economics/over-half-the-us-has-major-stress-over-the-price-of-food/
August 12, 2025
Consumers pay more close attention to cumulative inflation, and prices are 24.3% more expensive today than they were before the coronavirus pandemic recession began in February 2020. …
Many items currently exposed to tariffs — from coffee and tomatoes to toys, sporting equipment, household furnishings and apparel — continued to climb. …
According to BLS, these are the prices that increased most over the past year:
Item July 2024-July 2025 increase Eggs 16.4% Roasted coffee 14.8% Instant coffee* 14.3% Utility (piped) gas service 13.8% College textbooks* 12.9% Uncooked beef steaks 12.4% Audio equipment 12.4% Other condiments 12.1% Uncooked ground beef 11.5% Beef and veal 11.3% … According to BLS, these are the prices that increased most over the past month:
Item June 2025-July 2025 increase Frozen noncarbonated juices and drinks* 5.3% Other motor fuels 4.5% Cookies 4.2% Airline fares 4% Lettuce 4% Ham, excluding canned 3.9% Tax return preparation and other accounting fees 3.5% Infants’ and toddler’s apparel 3.3% Tomatoes 3.3% … According to BLS, these are the top 10 items that have jumped the most in price since the pandemic:
Item February 2020-July 2025 increase Eggs 86.5% Frozen noncarbonated juices and drinks* 62.7% Motor vehicle repair 58.4% Motor vehicle insurance 56.6% Margarine 56.6% Utility (piped) gas service 54% Uncooked beef roasts 53.2% Uncooked other beef and veal* 52% Uncooked beef steaks 48% Beef and veal 47.8%
While fish was not shown in the above report, when my wife and I went into a store to buy fish on Sunday, it appeared to me that fish prices have doubled or tripled over the past several years. So, yes, we are seeing food price inflation.
Jesus warned:
6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (Matthew 24:6-8)
Food price inflation is consistent with Jesus’ words.
Notice that the ride of third horseman of the Apocalypse results in scarcity, inflation, and famine. Revelation 6:5-6 indicates that there will be food, but that it will be quite expensive (food-price inflation).
5 When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. 6 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.” (Revelation 6:5-6)
Some will thus die as they will not be able to afford it, while others will survive but struggle. Notice that food oil is one of the items mentioned above–many around the world are being impacted by the rise in the cost of cooking oil.
What about the Anglo-American nations? The old Worldwide Church of God published the following:
The black horseman’s future ride will reduce the proud faces of white America, Europe, and the British Common wealth into the blackened skin of starvation such as now afflicts the vast majority of mankind. (Alexander G. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Ambassador College Press, Pasadena (CA), 1973, p. 31)
Expect more food inflation. And yes, there will be famines as well.
It is also wise to take physical steps:
6 Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,
7 Which, having no captain,
Overseer or ruler,
8 Provides her supplies in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest.
9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard?
When will you rise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to sleep —
11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man. (Proverbs 6:6-11).
The Heritage Foundation, in the second news article in this post, mentioned nations should do more than stockpiling food, but also look at incentivizing local production.
All who can afford it should have a week or two worth of food and water in case of emergencies and supply cutoffs. God’s statement about ants is intended to tell us to take proper physical steps.
However, do not deceive yourself that if you have several years supply of food, you will thrive while others starve.
Starving people will look for anything to eat–many will be willing to violently take food. There are already concerns about political unrest now because of the increases in food prices.
Related mainly to food issues, we also put together the following related video:
3rd Horseman of the Apocalypse and Food
There are reports about food price inflation around the world. While it is worsening in many areas, some believe it will improve in 2023. Instead, could prices continue to rise in 2023 and get much worse in 2024 and thereafter? What are the causes of food price inflation? Is there any connection between weather, government policies, fertilizer prices, energy costs, economic sanctions and food price inflation? What are we seeing in reports from the United Kingdom, Hungary, and South Africa? What about impacts from Russia’s ‘special military operation’ into Ukraine? Could EU and/or USA policies be effecting any of this? Is the ‘black horse’ the one associated with famine, food shortages, and food price inflation in the Book of Revelation? Are there any physical lessons we can learn from ants according to the Book of Proverbs? What are some spiritual steps we should take according to Jesus? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie address these matters and more.
Here is a link to our video: 3rd Horseman of the Apocalypse and Food.
We are getting to the end of the 6,000 years that God has allowed humans to rule themselves, which will soon be followed by the 1,000-year reign of Christ. Pray for Jesus to return and God’s Kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10).
Remember that Jesus said:
34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36)
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse What do each of the four horseman of the Apocalypse represent? Have they began their ride? Did Jesus discuss the any of this? Might their rides coincide with the “beginning of sorrows? Do they start their ride prior to the Great Tribulation? Did Nostradamus or any other ‘private prophets’ write predictions that may mislead people so that they may not understand the truth of one or more of the four horseman? There is also a related YouTube video titled Sorrows and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Is God Calling You? This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is are links to related sermons: Christian Election: Is God Calling YOU? and Predestination and Your Selection; here is a message in Spanish: Me Está Llamando Dios Hoy? A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You?
Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? Two related sermons about this are also available: Real Repentance and Real Christian Repentance.
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Near Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety,’ Zephaniah 2 to ‘gather together,’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on fleeing to a place–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. Two sermon-length videos of related interest are available Physical Protection During the Great Tribulation and Might Petra be the Place of Safety? Here is something related in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra?
Physical Preparation Scriptures for Christians. We all know the Bible prophecies famines. Should we do something? Here is a version in the Spanish language Escrituras sobre Preparación física para los Cristianos. Here is a link to a related sermon: Physical preparedness for Christians.
Fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse What is the pale horse of death and pestilences? What will it bring and when? Here is a link to a related sermon: Fourth Horseman, COVID, and the Rise of the Beast of Revelation. Some shorter related videos may include Amphibian Apocalypse: Threat to Humans? and Zombie Deer Disease is Here! Are the 10 Plagues on Egypt Coming? Here is a version of the article in Spanish: El cuarto jinete de Apocalipsis, el caballo pálido de muerte y pestilencia.
Weather Blessings and Sorrows Are weather problems a warning? What should be done? What does the Bible teach about weather? What about floods, droughts, heat, earthquakes, tornadoes, and solar storms? Here is a related YouTube video Does God Use Weather? A related item in the Spanish language would be Bendiciones y maldiciones del clima.
Could God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End? Was a 6000 year time allowed for humans to rule followed by a literal thousand year reign of Christ on Earth taught by the early Christians? Does God have 7,000 year plan? What year may the six thousand years of human rule end? Why is the Jews’ claimed year off by two centuries? When will Jesus return? 2032, 2035, or 2036 or? There is also a video titled: When Does the 6000 Years End? 2031? 2035? Here is a link to the article in Spanish: ¿Tiene Dios un plan de 6,000 años?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2025, 2026, or 2027? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? A short video is available titled: Great Tribulation Trends 2025.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. It is available in hundreds of languages at ccog.org. Here are links to four kingdom-related sermons: The Fantastic Gospel of the Kingdom of God!, The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God is the Solution.
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