A joint report by the FAO and WMO warns that intensifying heatwaves are pushing livestock and crop production toward critical thermal safety margins. The findings highlight a growing urgency for technical adaptation as extreme temperatures threaten animal welfare and drastically reduce global cereal yields.

Extreme heat events are increasingly defining the operational landscape for agrifood systems, according to a new joint assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The report indicates that for common livestock species, physiological stress begins above 25°C, with even lower thresholds for poultry and pigs. Beyond these limits, animals suffer from reduced feed intake, digestive tract breakdowns, and cardiovascular shock. Even in non-lethal cases, extreme heat significantly reduces dairy yields and alters the fat and protein content of animal-sourced foods.

The impact extends to the raw material supply chain, where major agricultural crops face yield declines above 30°C. In 2025, thermal shocks in Kyrgyzstan contributed to a 25% decline in cereal harvests, exacerbated by heightened evaporation and pest outbreaks. The report also details the rise of "flash droughts," which deplete topsoil moisture and can leave soils hardened and less capable of water absorption.

Celeste Saulo

To mitigate these compounding risks, the FAO and WMO emphasize the need for selective breeding, adjusted planting windows, and enhanced early warning systems. "Extreme heat is increasingly defining the conditions under which agrifood systems operate," stated WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo, noting that heat acts as a compounding factor that magnifies existing systemic weaknesses.