The list of countries where food inflation is most felt in 2026 has been announced.
Modern.az reports that, according to data published by the “Visual Capitalist” platform, from January 1 to February 25 of the current year, Iran ranks 1st and Azerbaijan 26th among the countries with the highest food inflation.
Thus, Iran leads the list with a projected increase of 55.9%, which is significantly higher than the global average of 3.2%. Currently, currency pressures and previous waves of inflation continue to affect food prices.
Argentina with 33.2% and Turkey with 24.1% are in 2nd and 3rd places, respectively, and multi-year inflation trends continue in both countries.
Regarding Azerbaijan's position in the table, our country is ranked 26th on the list. Food inflation in Azerbaijan is projected to be 6.8% in 2026. This indicator is lower compared to many countries.
Food prices remain one of the most persistent cost pressures for households worldwide. In 2026, food expenditures are expected to rise sharply in some countries, while remaining relatively stable in others.
According to new forecasts from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), food inflation across 160 countries will vary sharply in 2026, with some economies experiencing double-digit increases and others seeing price decreases.
This map ranks 160 countries by their projected annual change in food prices and shows which countries households are most likely to face high price increases in 2026.
Countries with the fastest rising food prices:
Currently, inflationary pressures remain a stronger impact primarily in developing and import-dependent economies. Food inflation is affected by currency fluctuations, raw material prices, trade disruptions, and domestic supply conditions. Food prices rise faster in countries experiencing currency depreciation or economic instability. Iran tops the list, where food prices are projected to increase by 55.9% annually.
In Iran, currency depreciation and long-term inflationary pressures have already driven food inflation to very high levels in recent years. The 2026 forecast indicates that these pressures may continue.
Several Sub-Saharan African countries, including Nigeria (17.1%), Angola (14.8%), Zambia (10.8%), and Ethiopia (10.1%), are also among the highest indicators. In many of these countries, food inflation is closely linked to currency fluctuations, import dependence, and supply problems.
Regional differences in food inflation:
Although the global average is projected at 3.2%, regional differences indicate significant variations in how food prices will change in 2026.
According to the information, the region where food prices are expected to increase the most is the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Food inflation in this region is expected to be 8.9% in 2026. Latin America ranks second with 4.8%. Food prices in North America are projected to increase by 4.3%, and in the Europe and Central Asia region by 4.2%. In Southern Africa, this indicator is expected to be 3.8%.
A lower inflation level is observed in South Asia, where food prices are expected to increase by 2.7%. The lowest indicator belongs to the Asia-Pacific region. Food inflation in this region is projected to be only 1%.
While global food inflation is expected to remain at single-digit levels in 2026, the regional picture is more uneven. For millions of households living in high-inflation economies, food costs may remain one of the most persistent economic pressures in the coming year.
