‘Super’ El Niño could cause global food price shock lasting into 2028, analysts say

European Central Bank estimated three years ago that a strong El Niño could drive up food commodity prices by up to 9%, with soya beans among those hit hardest. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Economists are warning that a “super” El Niño weather cycle this year could cause a severe shock to global food prices lasting into 2028.

As the Iran war pushes up world food prices to the highest level in three years, economists said supply chains faced “two shocks at once” stoked by extreme weather linked to global heating.