In recent years, the problem of high inflation rates and increasing food costs has become one of the most prominent issues threatening the stability of economies in developing and Arab countries. This phenomenon is no longer limited to economic dimensions only, but has expanded to include social and political dimensions, putting great pressure on governments and societies to deal with its consequences.

In short, the reasons fueling the large increases in inflation rates are global crises such as wars, climate change and geopolitical conflicts, in addition to the absence of economic planning and weak reform trends within the country, which together become factors that make it difficult for developing and Arab countries to provide basic commodities at reasonable prices.

Data shows that inflation rates in many countries have reached unprecedented levels. For example, Argentina recorded the largest increase in food prices at 183%, followed by Palestine at 115%. In contrast, food prices in Egypt rose by 27%. Inflation has also affected shipping costs, contributing to higher fuel and logistics prices, and shipping costs have subsequently risen sharply, with the cost of shipping containers between Europe, Asia and America jumping by more than 170%, according to the last price record in July 2024.

The impact of high inflation and rising food costs is not limited to reducing the purchasing power of the population, but extends to repercussions, most of which may be hidden, on social classes. In developing countries, people suffer from a sharp decline in their ability to meet their basic needs, which has pushed many of them into a cycle of extreme poverty. This rise in the cost of living is one of the reasons for the exacerbation of inequalities and social unrest between different classes.

According to a World Bank report, about 23 million additional people in the Middle East and North Africa region may be forced to live below the poverty line as a result of rising food prices. The report notes that extreme poverty rates may reach record levels in some countries, becoming one of the factors affecting the stability of societies in general.

It is clear that confronting this economic and social crisis requires comprehensive economic solutions that ensure market stability and improve living standards. Solutions must include wise monetary policies, especially those related to raising interest rates in a thoughtful and gradual manner to reduce inflation, without affecting economic growth or increasing unemployment rates. Social programs must be expanded to support low-income families and government spending must be increased on projects aimed at improving food quality and developing local production.

It is also necessary to review agricultural policies, as governments should focus on supporting local farmers and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices. This would contribute to increasing local production, reducing dependence on imports, and reducing the impact of global fluctuations on food prices.

At the international level, greater cooperation between countries is needed to secure food supplies. Major countries and international organizations must support emerging economies not only through financial assistance, but also through knowledge and technology transfer, and support in developing agricultural infrastructure to achieve sustainable food security. Governments and international organizations must also work to combat monopolies in food markets to ensure fair competition and protect consumers in poor countries.

What remains to be said is that this crisis cannot be summed up as a mere economic challenge, but rather an urgent strategic issue that requires finding innovative and comprehensive solutions to confront the new reality imposed by the renewed global crises. The general framework for these solutions must answer the question posed, which is whether the current economic structures are able to withstand successive global crises and curb the inflation that has become unrelenting. Temporary solutions will not succeed in achieving the required treatment, and the economies of the region cannot afford to wait while the economic and human costs continue to rise. These data, in short, require proactive strategies and structural and radical reforms in economic and social policies to deal with the volatile global conditions.