Record-Breaking El Niño Threatens Food Supplies Across Asia
Banten, Indonesia — September 22, 2026

A rapidly intensifying El Niño could become one of the strongest on record, raising the risk of drought, extreme heat and disruption to food supplies across Asia and other parts of the world, climate experts warn.

The phenomenon is forecast to reach its peak around December, with Southeast Asia among the regions facing significant risks.

Southeast Asia Already Feeling the Impact
In Indonesia, wildfires have affected forests and farmland while water levels in reservoirs supplying major cities have fallen.

Lower rainfall is also putting pressure on fisheries across Southeast Asia. Communities along the Mekong River are particularly vulnerable because they depend heavily on predictable water levels for fishing and agriculture.

Rice Production Faces Risk
Agriculture is one of the sectors most exposed to the changing weather patterns.

India, Vietnam and Thailand — three of the world’s largest rice exporters — are among the countries expected to face significant effects from the developing El Niño.

Farmers may be forced to delay planting, reduce cultivated areas or switch crops if water supplies become insufficient.

Indonesia and Malaysia, which together account for about 85% of global palm oil supplies, are also facing potential production problems as rainfall becomes less reliable.

Millions Could Face Food Insecurity
The World Food Program estimates that an extreme El Niño could push at least 49 million additional people into acute food insecurity by the end of 2027.

Goldman Sachs analysts have also estimated that global food commodity prices could rise by more than 15% if the weather event causes widespread agricultural disruption.

Scientists Closely Monitoring the Event
El Niño occurs when surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become unusually warm, altering weather patterns around the world.

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned that the developing event could become the strongest recorded since measurements began in 1950.

Scientists say the effects will vary by region, but governments are already preparing for potential impacts on agriculture, water supplies and food security.

Sources: Associated Press; U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; World Food Program.