How El Niño Impacts Global Food Commodities
How El Niño Impacts Global Food Commodities
Global · Published Sep 21, 2026
El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon, disrupts global weather patterns and significantly affects food production.
Learn how key crops like rice, sugar, and coffee are impacted and what steps can mitigate risks.

Crops Most Affected by El Niño

El Niño's impact on agriculture is profound, particularly for water-intensive crops like rice. Countries such as India, Vietnam, and Thailand, which dominate global rice production, face erratic rainfall and droughts, threatening up to 26% of global rice output. Sugarcane, coffee, cocoa, and palm oil are also vulnerable, with droughts and water shortages reducing yields. Conversely, some crops like soybeans, wheat, and maize may benefit in regions experiencing wetter conditions, such as parts of the United States and South America.

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