El Nino Dryness Threatens Asian Crops and Food Supplies
Dry weather is disrupting crop planting across India, Thailand, and Indonesia as a powerful El Nino pattern takes shape. Wheat and rice prices have already risen significantly on fears of tighter supplies, while farmers face additional pressure from fertilizer and diesel shortages.
India and Southeast Asian nations are facing crop disruptions as a developing El Nino pattern threatens food security for the world’s most populous region. Wheat prices rose 20% since the start of 2026, while rice prices at major export hubs climbed 15% over the past month. Investors are monitoring potential export curbs and supply chain shocks as heat delays planting across the continent.
### El Nino Threatens Global Supply Chains One of the strongest El Nino patterns on record is expected to develop during the second half of 2026, bringing drought to Asia and excessive rain to the Americas. Wheat markets are already reacting to dryness in the United States, while rice costs are rising due to production fears. Global climate change is compounding these effects, according to Chris Hyde, a meteorologist at SkyFi.
