Launch of The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO) 2024 “Trade and nutrition: Policy Coherence for Healthy Diets” Opening Remarks

Excellences,

His Excellency the Federal Councillor for Foreign Affairs of Switzerland,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the global launch of the 2024 edition of the flagship report The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets - SOCO.

The 2024 edition of SOCO highlights how trade is instrumental in providing food diversity, supporting healthy diets, enhancing food security, and fostering a rich exchange of cultural traditions around the world.

We are in an era where trade influences nearly every aspect of our agrifood systems.

Trade can link regions with food surpluses, with those facing shortages

Trade enables countries worldwide to meet the dietary requirements of their populations, diversify their food supplies, and foster economic growth.

Food trade has grown substantially since the beginning of this century because of transportation linkages.

The Silk Road, the ancient world’s most important trade route, played a key role in the exchange of many nutritious foods that are now enjoyed around the globe including the trade of germplasm.

Between 2000 and 2022, trade in agrifood products increased more than twofold in terms of calorie supply, providing an unprecedented availability of diverse range of foods worldwide.

Between 2010 and 2020, the expansion of trade helped increase the average per capita supply of essential vitamins and minerals across countries.

Through this role, trade can contribute to meeting two of the four core principles of healthy diets: ensuring a wide variety of foods, and providing adequate nutrients.

Yet, as trade expands, so do the challenges.

Trade increases food availability, food accessibility and food affordability of minimally processed foods, and even of more highly processed foods.

We must note however that highly processed foods remain important in poor countries, while the prevalence of obesity depends on consumption patterns.

Dear Colleagues,

The SOCO report highlights that trade policies should be coupled with measures that enable better access to healthy diets.

This includes by enhancing transparency and promoting the engagement of nutrition experts in the formulation and negotiations of trade agreements.

For example, nutrition labelling – a non-tariff measure – can empower consumers to make informed food choices.

For example, already 20 years ago, restaurants in Japan informed of the calorie information of their dishes, with optimal results for the wellbeing and longevity of the population.

Nutrition science should be applied in our daily life to ensure rational consumption of foods.

FAO is committed to support Members achieve the Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment, and a Better Life – leaving no one behind.

With collaborative, forward-thinking policies, we can harness the potential of trade to transform global agrifood systems.

I believe that this latest edition of SOCO will help to enhance policy coherence between trade and nutrition, in support of healthier diets and better nutritional outcomes, and a better life for all.

Thank you.