This conference examined how emerging geopolitical, environmental, and economic risks in recent years have affected food consumption. A series of global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, escalation of tensions in the Middle East, and increasing frequency of extreme weather events, have contributed to worldwide inflation and rising food prices through disruptions in international markets of agricultural products and inputs. This research workshop featured presentations by four practitioners and researchers to concretely investigate the current realities of food consumption in Japan and Africa. These contributions revealed how consumer behavior and attitudes have shifted amid ongoing crises and offered several analytical perspectives toward understanding food consumption in an increasingly unstable global environment.

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This article analyzes consumer behavior and the factors driving changes in food consumption trends in Japan in 2024, focusing on three key crises: price increases, extreme heat, and natural disasters. The analysis is based on QPR consumer purchasing data collected by Macromill, which tracks purchases from approximately 35,000 consumers nationwide. These data include detailed information on purchase frequency, item type, and retail channels, allowing for an in-depth exploration of purchasing patterns. In 2024, several food categories experienced significant growth, driven by four main factors: popular trends in products, price hikes, temperature changes, and disaster preparedness. Among the categories influenced by price increases, rice, tomato juice, rice-based processed products, and ketchup showed notable growth owing to higher average prices. However, some categories, such as olive oil and fish stock, saw price increases without a corresponding rise in overall sales, thus suggesting that shifts in consumer purchasing behavior were often influenced by price sensitivity. Additionally, the summer heatwave affected the sales of refreshing beverages, such as fruit juices and dairy drinks, which increased because of both health consciousness and the need for heatstroke prevention. Conversely, items such as candy and caramel did not show a strong correlation with temperature changes, likely because they are used for various purposes beyond heat-related needs. Finally, natural disasters, such as the increased risk of earthquakes in the Nankai Trough region, led to a surge in the purchase of disaster preparedness goods such as bottled water and rice-based products. These trends were clearly reflected in the purchase data following the announcement of disaster alerts. In conclusion, the study highlights how consumer purchasing decisions are heavily influenced by external crises. The analysis of these crises offers valuable insights into how food consumption patterns shift in response to economic, environmental, and social pressures, consequently underscoring the need for continuous monitoring of these factors to better predict future consumer behavior.

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This presentation examines consumer attitudes among co-op members, with particular focus on preferences for domestically produced goods and responses to price increases and saving behaviors. The survey results indicate that co-op members place greater emphasis on domestic food products than general consumers. This tendency is likely driven by members’ demands for food safety and the co-op’s unique supply chain that connects producers directly with consumers （SANCHOKU). Trust in the quality of and support for domestic agriculture were commonly cited reasons for choosing domestic products. However, interest in ethical consumption appears to be declining amid economic uncertainty. The preference for domestic products is more pronounced among older age groups, especially for vegetables, meat, and fruits. While members with strong domestic preferences are willing to pay higher prices, even those less conscious of their origins often choose domestic products if prices are comparable. Many co-op members recognize that the co-op’s private label products use domestic ingredients. Regarding saving behavior, most members are cost-conscious, particularly in relation to food expenses with many reporting feeling financial pressure, with price increases in essential goods being a significant concern. Common saving strategies include purchasing cheaper products and reducing purchase frequency. Inflation has prompted various adaptations in food consumption, and its impact differs according to household economic conditions. Although many members accept that modest price hikes are unavoidable, transparent communication about the causes of price fluctuations is highly valued. Moreover, co-op members show heightened concern about social and environmental issues, especially global warming and food security.

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This presentation addresses the critical challenges facing food security in Africa. Although agriculture remains a central pillar of the region’s economy, some factors such as delays in extending appropriate cultivation techniques among African farmers, low levels of chemical fertilizer application and limited irrigated land area, continue to constrain productivity, which remains markedly lower than that in Asia. In 2023, an estimated 58.0% of Africa’s population experienced moderate or severe food insecurity, substantially exceeding the global average. Sub-Saharan Africa remains heavily reliant on imports of staple grains, such as wheat and rice, with rice imports, in particular, exhibiting an upward trajectory. The productivity of rice and maize in Africa is estimated to be approximately half that in Asian countries. Between 2020 and 2021, the cost of a healthy diet rose sharply across the continent, placing a significant burden on the low-income population. Global food price hikes occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict from 2020 to 2023. Africa has been disproportionately affected by these global disruptions owing to its high dependency on food imports, particularly cereals. Considering the projected population growth, Africa’s food self-sufficiency has been predicted to decline further by the year 2100. The African Union （AU） has made limited progress in achieving its agricultural growth and budget allocation targets. In response, the Japan International Cooperation Agency （JICA） has launched “the JICA Africa Food Security Initiative （AFSI）” and is keen to promote ”the Coalition for African Ricet Development （CARD）,” which is one of the major pillars of AFSI and aims to double rice production in sub-Saharan together with broader development partners. Given the urgency of the situation, strengthening food security in Africa demands the active engagement of the academic community, including forums such as FSRAJ.

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This study aims to analyze the behavior of urban Senegalese consumers vis-à-vis rising global food prices. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, crises such as the Russia-Ukraine War have had widespread repercussions globally, including a significant increase in food prices. In addition, India’s ban on rice exports, implemented in July 2023, has dealt a severe blow to rice markets in sub-Saharan Africa, which rely heavily on Indian rice imports. Market disruptions caused by these factors have led to a sharp increase in rice prices, profoundly impacting African consumers’ household budgets. Parallelly, Africa is rapidly urbanizing, driven by population growth, thus marking a major transition from predominantly rural to urban societies. Despite these important changes, information on urban consumers in Africa is lacking. This study focuses on Senegal−a country with a high level of urbanization and strong dependence on rice consumption. Using data from surveys conducted in Senegal in 2018, 2022, and 2024, this study explores the characteristics of urban consumers in Senegal by analyzing changes in their food consumption patterns in response to the global food price volatility. The findings show an increase in food expenses from 2022 onward, placing a greater burden on households. The rise in rice prices, in particular, was especially pronounced, as rice is a staple food. To prepare for future crises and unforeseen risks more effectively, it is essential to engage in the ongoing discourse on urban food security. In this context, longitudinal research not only offers essential insights but also plays a key role in shaping effective responses.

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