Study links transport costs and inequality to global food accessibility

A new study from the University of Oulu, in collaboration with Aalto University and Pellervo Economic Research (PTT), has highlighted that food security depends not only on production but also on how well transport networks link supply with demand worldwide. The researchers developed a spatial accessibility framework that maps global food distribution pathways and evaluates their efficiency under varying economic conditions and potential disruptions.

Using the framework, the team found that gaps in transport infrastructure and rising economic inequality significantly limit access to food in many regions. The analysis shows that even where food is produced in sufficient quantities, poor connectivity and uneven wealth distribution can prevent it from reaching populations that need it most. The study also simulates different disruption scenarios—such as natural disasters or trade restrictions—to assess how resilient current networks are and where improvements would most enhance accessibility.

The research underscores the need for coordinated investment in transport systems and policies that address inequality to strengthen global food security. By identifying critical bottlenecks, the framework offers policymakers a tool to prioritize infrastructure upgrades and economic interventions that can make food more reliably available to all populations.