The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets 2026 | SOCO Special Episode | The Work We Do

Global food markets are facing increasing pressure from conflict, climate extremes, economic uncertainty, and supply chain disruptions. Yet despite these shocks, global food markets often recover quickly and regain their equilibrium. But the resulting food price spikes can have severe consequences for food security, underscoring the importance of international cooperation.     In this episode of The Work We Do, we speak with FAO Senior Economist George Rapsomanikis and Economist Andrea Zimmermann about The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO) 2026. They examine how shocks affect food trade and its implications for food security, what makes global markets resilient, and why international cooperation matters more than ever.     1:40 Are there more shocks?  4:04 Different types of shocks  7:19 Characteristics of resilient markets  9:12 Can markets absorb shocks?  14:15 Ukraine, Hormuz, and trade risks  16:11 How fast does market recover?  20:20 Why food prices remain volatile  21:59 The role of policy and international cooperation  25:07 How can countries build resilience  26:26 Takeaway       The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO) 2026 report:  https://doi.org/10.4060/ce0337en