Australians are paying more at the checkout for essentials like fruit, vegetables, beef, bread and coffee — and climate change is a key reason why.
A new report released by Farmers for Climate Action brings together compelling evidence that climate impacts are pushing up food prices through their effects on supply and global markets. “The Cost of Climate Change at the Checkout” draws on data from across the global food value chain.
Australia’s cyclones, floods, heatwaves, droughts and storms are hurting many of our most significant food growing and producing regions. Imports cannot readily fill the shortfall due to biosecurity regulations, so price rises are usually immediate.
Our food prices are also subject to global climate change impacts. For instance, when droughts in the US and Brazil cause cattle numbers to fall, the globally traded supply of beef drops. This directly impacts the Australian beef sector and the price of Aussie beef.
The good news is: we can act. Farmers across Australia are ready to be part of the solution. With the right policies and support, Australian farmers can reduce emissions, farm with nature, and build a more resilient food system – protecting both people’s back pockets and the future of farming.
