The World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Agriculture convened to review recent developments in global agricultural markets, food security, and the implementation of ministerial decisions. Representatives from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Bank provided updates on ongoing challenges related to food security.
UNCTAD highlighted the importance of trade in addressing food insecurity by moving food efficiently from surplus to deficit regions, stabilizing prices, and improving access to diverse diets. The organization also pointed out that export restrictions can increase price volatility, worsening food insecurity in least developed countries (LDCs) and net food-importing developing countries (NFIDCs). Transparency in these measures was emphasized as essential.
The FAO referenced its 2025 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, noting that while there have been some improvements, hunger remains widespread with 673 million people affected in 2024. Projections indicate that by 2030, 512 million people may still face chronic hunger, posing a significant challenge for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger. The FAO also discussed global cereal supply and demand trends, stressing transparency in commodity markets and coordinated policy actions.
The WFP reported facing two concurrent famines for the first time—impacting Sudan and Gaza—with 28 million people experiencing extreme hunger. Resource shortages mean emergency operations will reach 17 million fewer people in 2025 compared to last year.
According to the World Bank, crises related to food and nutrition are becoming more frequent due to conflicts, climate events, economic disruptions, and fragile systems. The Bank is working with national governments on preparedness plans designed to connect local needs with regional and global support.
The Committee conducted its annual review of export competition policies as part of follow-up on previous ministerial decisions. A background document prepared by the WTO Secretariat compiled member notifications regarding export competition under the Nairobi Decision of 2015. The Chair highlighted a new integrated notification requirement now applicable for future discussions.
Discussions also continued regarding the second triennial review of the Bali Tariff Rate Quota Decision from 2013. The draft report proposes increased transparency about tariffs for quota products, improved data inclusion in notifications, and processes for identifying barriers affecting quota utilization.
Members discussed establishing a dedicated monitoring mechanism within the Committee for following up on recommendations from its work programme on food security undertaken during 2022-24 after instructions from the Twelfth Ministerial Conference. Some members noted that current recommendations only address part of LDCs' and NFIDCs' concerns.
For the first time at this meeting, members shared views on implementing the Bali Ministerial Decision on General Services under Article 18 of the Agreement on Agriculture.
A total of 203 questions were raised concerning individual notifications or specific implementation issues—33 were new topics focused mainly on recent trade framework deals between countries such as Japan, Indonesia, Viet Nam, European Union partners with the United States; other new topics included UK sustainable farming initiatives in Wales; Philippines’ rice import suspension; Switzerland’s agricultural subsidies; along with queries directed at Australia, Brazil, Canada among others. Recurring matters included India’s domestic support programmes and sugar policy; Canada’s dairy product support; China’s cotton support policies; Egypt’s rice export restrictions; EU deforestation regulations; New Zealand's Maori agribusiness support; UK goods schedule issues; US targeted agricultural supports.
All submitted questions are available in G/AG/W/256/Rev.1 as well as through WTO's Agriculture Information Management System.
Since June 2025's previous meeting there have been over one hundred individual notifications submitted: twelve about market access; thirty-four regarding domestic support; fifty-five related to export competition; two linked to Marrakesh Decision implementation for LDCs/NFIDCs. The Chair urged timely submission of complete notifications along with prompt responses to outstanding questions for enhanced transparency.
Technology transfer was another focus area with calls for experience-sharing among members regarding policy tools supporting innovation domestically under WTO agreements. Delegations stressed that smallholder farmers could benefit significantly if appropriate technologies are transferred affordably and effectively absorbed into developing economies’ agricultural sectors.
An informal session featured presentations by Canada about transparency mechanisms using Table DS:2 notifications covering domestic support measures while World Bank presented approaches for managing risk through insurance policies within agriculture.
The next Committee meeting is scheduled for November 24-26, 2025.