A systematic literature review focusing on global food security as it relates to maize, wheat, and rice was published in 2026 in the journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. The review was co-authored by K. Saengtabtim, H. Hogset, L. M. Hvattum, N. Leelawat, and P. Jarumaneeroj.
The study identified threats to global food security, categorizing them into agricultural and environmental factors, and geopolitical and socioeconomic factors. Rising temperatures, drought conditions, and extreme weather events affect the production of staple crops. Water scarcity similarly restricts agricultural output in irrigation-dependent regions. Additionally, urban expansion and changes in land use reduce the acreage available for crop cultivation, while crop diseases, soil degradation, and post-harvest spoilage diminish agricultural yields.
The review identified geopolitical challenges as factors impacting food security. The COVID-19 pandemic caused interruptions in transportation and supply chains, leading to increased food prices and reduced access to food in various countries. Political conflicts, such as the Arab Spring and the Russia-Ukraine war, have disrupted global grain markets, contributing to market volatility. Export restrictions imposed by major agricultural producers can cause shortages in import-reliant regions, including the Middle East, North Africa, and Sub-Saharan Africa. The growth of the bioenergy and biofuel industries also increases agricultural demand for crops like maize and wheat. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations defines food security as having sufficient safe and nutritious food to maintain a healthy life.
To conduct the review, the authors followed PRISMA guidelines and utilized the Scopus database for their literature search. Keywords used in the search included food security, maize, corn, wheat, rice, imports, and exports. The study analyzed English-language research articles, review articles, conference papers, and conference reviews published between 2000 and 2022. Researchers screened 383 initial records, ultimately including 105 studies that met the selection criteria. A co-occurrence network analysis of repeated terms was performed using KH Coder software, and a Causal Loop Diagram was constructed to map cause-and-effect relationships among food security, agricultural supply, trade, climate, and policy.
The review noted that bioenergy systems using dedicated non-food feedstocks can support energy security without substantially decreasing food supplies. Long-term international trade agreements and trade liberalization policies may help stabilize agricultural prices and improve supply consistency. However, dependence on agricultural imports introduces economic risks during export restrictions, conflicts, transport cost increases, or market fluctuations. Agricultural technologies, such as modified seeds, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, and modern equipment, can increase crop yields and decrease losses. Virtual water trading, which involves importing water-intensive agricultural products, can address water shortages in arid regions. The systematic review concludes that integrated policies encompassing agricultural production, trade networks, water management, and technology are necessary to mitigate food insecurity.