GITNUXREPORT 2026

Esg Food Industry Statistics

The global food system faces massive environmental, social, and governance challenges that demand urgent action.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Deforestation for agriculture drove 80% of global forest loss between 2001-2015, primarily for soy, palm oil, and beef

Statistic 2

In 2020, 38% of global fish stocks were overfished, threatening 3 billion people reliant on seafood for protein

Statistic 3

Agricultural expansion caused 90% of deforestation in the Amazon between 2000-2019, mainly for cattle ranching

Statistic 4

Only 15% of the world's 3 trillion trees are in agricultural landscapes, with 45% loss since 2001

Statistic 5

Palm oil production drove 45% of tropical deforestation 2010-2019

Statistic 6

Soybean farming for feed causes 80% of Cerrado deforestation in Brazil

Statistic 7

Aquaculture production hit 122 million tons in 2020, but 35% from unsustainable sources

Statistic 8

80% of soy used for animal feed, driving Amazon soy expansion

Statistic 9

Indigenous communities manage 80% of global biodiversity but lose land to agribusiness

Statistic 10

30% arable land degraded, affecting 1.5 billion people

Statistic 11

Chocolate supply chain deforested 2.3 million ha 2001-2019

Statistic 12

Shrimp farming destroys 200,000 ha mangroves/decade

Statistic 13

33% calories from unsustainable crops

Statistic 14

In 2022, the global food system emitted 25-33% of total greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to 18 gigatons of CO2-equivalent annually

Statistic 15

Livestock supply chains produced 7.1 gigatons of GHG emissions in 2010, representing 14.5% of global anthropogenic emissions

Statistic 16

The food industry contributes 34% of global ocean acidification due to CO2 absorption from agricultural emissions

Statistic 17

14.5% of global GHG from livestock, with beef producing 99 kg CO2eq/kg compared to 0.5 for pulses

Statistic 18

Methane from rice paddies and livestock contributes 40% of ag GHG

Statistic 19

Food cooling accounts for 8% of global electricity use and 4% GHG emissions

Statistic 20

Transport in food supply chains emits 5 GtCO2eq/year, 10% of food system total

Statistic 21

Regenerative agriculture could sequester 4.3 GtCO2/year by 2050 if scaled

Statistic 22

500 million small farms produce 70% of world's food but emit 50% ag GHGs inefficiently

Statistic 23

Coffee production vulnerable to climate, 50% suitable land loss by 2050

Statistic 24

Plant-based alternatives grew 27% CAGR 2019-2023, reducing dairy emissions potential

Statistic 25

Insect farming emits 100x less GHG than beef per protein gram

Statistic 26

Dairy cooling uses 3.5% global electricity

Statistic 27

Lab-grown meat could cut emissions 78-96% vs beef

Statistic 28

50% wheat yield loss risk from 2°C warming

Statistic 29

Cover crops improve soil carbon 0.32 t/ha/year

Statistic 30

No-till farming sequesters 0.4 tC/ha/year

Statistic 31

Tea yields drop 20% with 1°C warming India

Statistic 32

Sugarcane ethanol saves 70% GHG vs gasoline

Statistic 33

In 2021, 828 million people faced hunger, with food systems exacerbating inequality through 3.1 billion lacking safe food access

Statistic 34

821 million undernourished people in 2017, with smallholder farmers (500 million) most vulnerable

Statistic 35

2.37 billion people lack basic sanitation, impacting food hygiene and safety in supply chains

Statistic 36

160 million people pushed into poverty by COVID-19 food price spikes in 2020

Statistic 37

670 million obese adults in 2019, linked to ultra-processed foods in industry diets

Statistic 38

2 billion people lack micronutrient-rich foods, costing $3.5 trillion in health losses

Statistic 39

Ultra-processed foods contribute to 57% of US calories, linked to obesity epidemic

Statistic 40

Malnutrition costs global economy $3.5 trillion/year, 11% GDP in low-income countries

Statistic 41

75 million more hungry due to 2022 food prices

Statistic 42

40% smallholders lack market access

Statistic 43

Processed meat consumption links to 12% colorectal cancer cases

Statistic 44

20 million refugees food insecure

Statistic 45

366 million need food aid 2023 peak

Statistic 46

690 million hungry amid 2021 records

Statistic 47

40% yield gap closing needed for food demand

Statistic 48

Corporate boards in food companies have only 25% female representation on average in 2023

Statistic 49

ESG reporting in food sector shows 60% of companies disclose Scope 3 emissions poorly

Statistic 50

Only 28% of food companies have science-based targets approved by SBTi in 2023

Statistic 51

45% of S&P 500 food firms lack board-level ESG oversight committees

Statistic 52

70% of food companies improved ESG scores post-Paris Agreement but governance lags

Statistic 53

Only 20% of agribusinesses have net-zero targets

Statistic 54

TCFD-aligned disclosure in food firms at 35%

Statistic 55

Seafood mislabeling fraud at 30% globally

Statistic 56

55% food companies lack supplier audits for ESG

Statistic 57

ISS ESG rates 40% food firms low on climate strategy

Statistic 58

25% food firms fined for ESG non-compliance 2020-2023

Statistic 59

SASB standards adopted by 65% food multinationals

Statistic 60

PRI signatories in food/ag 15% of total AUM

Statistic 61

GRI reporting by 80% top food firms

Statistic 62

Food systems employ 1 billion people but 80% are in informal jobs with poor working conditions

Statistic 63

Women comprise 43% of agricultural labor in developing countries but own less than 20% of land

Statistic 64

Child labor affects 152 million children, with 70 million in agriculture sector

Statistic 65

Forced labor affects 25 million people, concentrated in food supply chains like fishing

Statistic 66

Wage gaps in food processing show women earn 77 cents per dollar vs men

Statistic 67

Migrant workers in US agriculture face 20% higher injury rates

Statistic 68

Cocoa farming linked to 63% child labor in Ivory Coast, affecting 1.5 million kids

Statistic 69

Food workers earn 20% below average wages, with high turnover 50-100%

Statistic 70

Harassment reported by 60% women in food processing plants

Statistic 71

Slavery in Thai fishing fleets affects 100,000 workers

Statistic 72

Unionization in food industry at 5%, lowest sector

Statistic 73

Gig economy food delivery workers 80% without benefits

Statistic 74

Poultry processing injury rate 15x manufacturing average

Statistic 75

Gender pay gap 23% in global agri-food

Statistic 76

Farmworker heat deaths up 20x since 2000s

Statistic 77

Global food loss and waste generate 8-10% of total anthropogenic GHG emissions, or about 3.3 billion tons CO2-eq/year

Statistic 78

1.3 billion tons of food wasted yearly, enough to feed 2 billion people

Statistic 79

Plastic packaging in food generates 40% of ocean plastics

Statistic 80

Fisheries discard 8 million tons of catch annually

Statistic 81

1.05 billion tons food loss in supply chain before retail

Statistic 82

10% global emissions from food loss/waste

Statistic 83

Packaging waste from food 141 million tons/year EU

Statistic 84

60% retail food waste voluntary

Statistic 85

Food production accounts for 70% of freshwater use globally, with agriculture consuming 2,711 km³ per year

Statistic 86

Over 2.3 billion people live in water-stressed countries, with agriculture using 72% of available freshwater

Statistic 87

Nitrogen pollution from fertilizers affects 25% of global ice-free land, costing $400 billion annually

Statistic 88

Agriculture uses 69% of global water withdrawals, with 40% inefficiency in irrigation

Statistic 89

Global fertilizer use reached 190 million tons in 2019, polluting 50% of rivers

Statistic 90

Irrigation efficiency is below 40% in South Asia, wasting 250 km³ water yearly

Statistic 91

Groundwater depletion for irrigation at 145 km³/year globally unsustainable

Statistic 92

Salinization affects 20% of irrigated lands, reducing yields 20-50%

Statistic 93

Fertilizer runoff creates 400 ocean dead zones covering 245,000 km²

Statistic 94

Beef supply chain water footprint 15,400 liters/kg

Statistic 95

Avocado farming depletes 320 liters water per fruit in Mexico

Statistic 96

Precision ag reduces water use 30%

Statistic 97

Almond production uses 10% California water, 1,900 liters per nut

Statistic 98

Eutrophication from ag 78% EU waters

1/98

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

From the hidden cost of your morning coffee to the climate footprint of your dinner plate, the stark reality of our food industry is unfolding through alarming statistics that reveal a system responsible for over a quarter of global emissions, driving rampant deforestation, and deepening social inequality, making the transition to robust ESG practices not just an option but an urgent necessity for planetary and human survival.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, the global food system emitted 25-33% of total greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to 18 gigatons of CO2-equivalent annually
Livestock supply chains produced 7.1 gigatons of GHG emissions in 2010, representing 14.5% of global anthropogenic emissions
The food industry contributes 34% of global ocean acidification due to CO2 absorption from agricultural emissions
Food production accounts for 70% of freshwater use globally, with agriculture consuming 2,711 km³ per year
Over 2.3 billion people live in water-stressed countries, with agriculture using 72% of available freshwater
Nitrogen pollution from fertilizers affects 25% of global ice-free land, costing $400 billion annually
Deforestation for agriculture drove 80% of global forest loss between 2001-2015, primarily for soy, palm oil, and beef
In 2020, 38% of global fish stocks were overfished, threatening 3 billion people reliant on seafood for protein
Agricultural expansion caused 90% of deforestation in the Amazon between 2000-2019, mainly for cattle ranching
In 2021, 828 million people faced hunger, with food systems exacerbating inequality through 3.1 billion lacking safe food access
821 million undernourished people in 2017, with smallholder farmers (500 million) most vulnerable
2.37 billion people lack basic sanitation, impacting food hygiene and safety in supply chains
Global food loss and waste generate 8-10% of total anthropogenic GHG emissions, or about 3.3 billion tons CO2-eq/year
1.3 billion tons of food wasted yearly, enough to feed 2 billion people
Plastic packaging in food generates 40% of ocean plastics

The global food system faces massive environmental, social, and governance challenges that demand urgent action.

Biodiversity and Land Use

Deforestation for agriculture drove 80% of global forest loss between 2001-2015, primarily for soy, palm oil, and beef
In 2020, 38% of global fish stocks were overfished, threatening 3 billion people reliant on seafood for protein
Agricultural expansion caused 90% of deforestation in the Amazon between 2000-2019, mainly for cattle ranching
Only 15% of the world's 3 trillion trees are in agricultural landscapes, with 45% loss since 2001
Palm oil production drove 45% of tropical deforestation 2010-2019
Soybean farming for feed causes 80% of Cerrado deforestation in Brazil
Aquaculture production hit 122 million tons in 2020, but 35% from unsustainable sources
80% of soy used for animal feed, driving Amazon soy expansion
Indigenous communities manage 80% of global biodiversity but lose land to agribusiness
30% arable land degraded, affecting 1.5 billion people
Chocolate supply chain deforested 2.3 million ha 2001-2019
Shrimp farming destroys 200,000 ha mangroves/decade
33% calories from unsustainable crops

Biodiversity and Land Use Interpretation

Our plates are bulldozing the planet, from the soy in our steaks to the palm in our snacks, proving that the most endangered species isn't in the forest—it's our collective conscience on the menu.

Emissions and Climate

In 2022, the global food system emitted 25-33% of total greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to 18 gigatons of CO2-equivalent annually
Livestock supply chains produced 7.1 gigatons of GHG emissions in 2010, representing 14.5% of global anthropogenic emissions
The food industry contributes 34% of global ocean acidification due to CO2 absorption from agricultural emissions
14.5% of global GHG from livestock, with beef producing 99 kg CO2eq/kg compared to 0.5 for pulses
Methane from rice paddies and livestock contributes 40% of ag GHG
Food cooling accounts for 8% of global electricity use and 4% GHG emissions
Transport in food supply chains emits 5 GtCO2eq/year, 10% of food system total
Regenerative agriculture could sequester 4.3 GtCO2/year by 2050 if scaled
500 million small farms produce 70% of world's food but emit 50% ag GHGs inefficiently
Coffee production vulnerable to climate, 50% suitable land loss by 2050
Plant-based alternatives grew 27% CAGR 2019-2023, reducing dairy emissions potential
Insect farming emits 100x less GHG than beef per protein gram
Dairy cooling uses 3.5% global electricity
Lab-grown meat could cut emissions 78-96% vs beef
50% wheat yield loss risk from 2°C warming
Cover crops improve soil carbon 0.32 t/ha/year
No-till farming sequesters 0.4 tC/ha/year
Tea yields drop 20% with 1°C warming India
Sugarcane ethanol saves 70% GHG vs gasoline

Emissions and Climate Interpretation

The global food system is a climate Jekyll and Hyde, emitting a staggering third of our greenhouse gasses while also holding, in practices like regenerative agriculture and plant-based innovation, the very tools to mend the mess it makes.

Food Security and Nutrition

In 2021, 828 million people faced hunger, with food systems exacerbating inequality through 3.1 billion lacking safe food access
821 million undernourished people in 2017, with smallholder farmers (500 million) most vulnerable
2.37 billion people lack basic sanitation, impacting food hygiene and safety in supply chains
160 million people pushed into poverty by COVID-19 food price spikes in 2020
670 million obese adults in 2019, linked to ultra-processed foods in industry diets
2 billion people lack micronutrient-rich foods, costing $3.5 trillion in health losses
Ultra-processed foods contribute to 57% of US calories, linked to obesity epidemic
Malnutrition costs global economy $3.5 trillion/year, 11% GDP in low-income countries
75 million more hungry due to 2022 food prices
40% smallholders lack market access
Processed meat consumption links to 12% colorectal cancer cases
20 million refugees food insecure
366 million need food aid 2023 peak
690 million hungry amid 2021 records
40% yield gap closing needed for food demand

Food Security and Nutrition Interpretation

Our food system is a tragically absurd machine that simultaneously starves, fattens, and bankrupts humanity while eroding our health, proving that quantity does not equal quality, nor does production equate to nourishment.

Governance and Transparency

Corporate boards in food companies have only 25% female representation on average in 2023
ESG reporting in food sector shows 60% of companies disclose Scope 3 emissions poorly
Only 28% of food companies have science-based targets approved by SBTi in 2023
45% of S&P 500 food firms lack board-level ESG oversight committees
70% of food companies improved ESG scores post-Paris Agreement but governance lags
Only 20% of agribusinesses have net-zero targets
TCFD-aligned disclosure in food firms at 35%
Seafood mislabeling fraud at 30% globally
55% food companies lack supplier audits for ESG
ISS ESG rates 40% food firms low on climate strategy
25% food firms fined for ESG non-compliance 2020-2023
SASB standards adopted by 65% food multinationals
PRI signatories in food/ag 15% of total AUM
GRI reporting by 80% top food firms

Governance and Transparency Interpretation

The food industry's sustainability report card reads like a promising student who aced the colorful cover page but, upon closer inspection, failed the critical chapters on integrity, accountability, and credible science.

Labor and Human Rights

Food systems employ 1 billion people but 80% are in informal jobs with poor working conditions
Women comprise 43% of agricultural labor in developing countries but own less than 20% of land
Child labor affects 152 million children, with 70 million in agriculture sector
Forced labor affects 25 million people, concentrated in food supply chains like fishing
Wage gaps in food processing show women earn 77 cents per dollar vs men
Migrant workers in US agriculture face 20% higher injury rates
Cocoa farming linked to 63% child labor in Ivory Coast, affecting 1.5 million kids
Food workers earn 20% below average wages, with high turnover 50-100%
Harassment reported by 60% women in food processing plants
Slavery in Thai fishing fleets affects 100,000 workers
Unionization in food industry at 5%, lowest sector
Gig economy food delivery workers 80% without benefits
Poultry processing injury rate 15x manufacturing average
Gender pay gap 23% in global agri-food
Farmworker heat deaths up 20x since 2000s

Labor and Human Rights Interpretation

The grim statistics reveal that our global food system, while feeding billions, is ironically built upon a foundation of exploited labor, from children in cocoa fields to migrant farmworkers facing deadly heat, proving that the true cost of our meals is measured in human suffering.

Waste Management

Global food loss and waste generate 8-10% of total anthropogenic GHG emissions, or about 3.3 billion tons CO2-eq/year
1.3 billion tons of food wasted yearly, enough to feed 2 billion people
Plastic packaging in food generates 40% of ocean plastics
Fisheries discard 8 million tons of catch annually
1.05 billion tons food loss in supply chain before retail
10% global emissions from food loss/waste
Packaging waste from food 141 million tons/year EU
60% retail food waste voluntary

Waste Management Interpretation

We're basically tossing the planet into the dumpster, one perfectly good meal at a time.

Water and Resources

Food production accounts for 70% of freshwater use globally, with agriculture consuming 2,711 km³ per year
Over 2.3 billion people live in water-stressed countries, with agriculture using 72% of available freshwater
Nitrogen pollution from fertilizers affects 25% of global ice-free land, costing $400 billion annually
Agriculture uses 69% of global water withdrawals, with 40% inefficiency in irrigation
Global fertilizer use reached 190 million tons in 2019, polluting 50% of rivers
Irrigation efficiency is below 40% in South Asia, wasting 250 km³ water yearly
Groundwater depletion for irrigation at 145 km³/year globally unsustainable
Salinization affects 20% of irrigated lands, reducing yields 20-50%
Fertilizer runoff creates 400 ocean dead zones covering 245,000 km²
Beef supply chain water footprint 15,400 liters/kg
Avocado farming depletes 320 liters water per fruit in Mexico
Precision ag reduces water use 30%
Almond production uses 10% California water, 1,900 liters per nut
Eutrophication from ag 78% EU waters