El Niño Phenomenon Threatens Israel with Food Shortages and Price Hikes

An agricultural expert warns that the "El Niño" weather phenomenon is approaching Israel, potentially leading to significant price increases in supermarkets and exacerbating food insecurity. El Niño is expected to cause extreme weather patterns globally, including droughts and heatwaves in some regions, and floods and storms in others, disrupting growing seasons and impacting crop yields and water availability for farmers.

Globally, the UN's World Food Programme estimates that El Niño could push an additional 49 million people into acute food insecurity by the end of 2027, raising the total in affected countries from 225 million to 274 million. This represents a 22% increase.

In Israel, the implications are dire. Eli Cohen, CEO of the food aid organization "Ptichon Lev," reports that approximately 60% of families seeking assistance are dual-income households where earnings are insufficient to provide healthy, varied food for children. Cohen stressed the need for the Israeli government to address the root causes of poverty and create pathways out of it.

Avishai Avni, Chief Agronomist at Haifa Group, emphasized the importance of proactive measures. While El Niño cannot be prevented, he stated, agriculture can be made more resilient. Strategies include monitoring soil and plant conditions, precise water and nutrient management, and adapting crop plans using more resistant varieties or nutrient supplements to help plants withstand changing conditions. The goal, Avni explained, is not just to increase production but to ensure a stable and quality food supply amidst unpredictable weather.