In 2025, global agrifood systems continued to face complex and severe challenges from climate change, geopolitical tensions, and nutrition and health issues. Against this backdrop, the Academy of Global Food Economics and Policy (AGFEP) has consistently adhered to its strategic principle of "Rooted in China, with a Global Perspective." Grounded in excellent academic research and engaged in active international cooperation, AGFEP has centered its work on the core theme of "Agrifood Systems Transformation." The academy has achieved fruitful results across scientific research, policy advice, talent development, and international exchange, contributing key insights and strength to building more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive future agrifood systems.

Report Releases and Policy Support

In 2025, the academy has released a series of significant reports and policy briefs:

·       "2025 China and Global Food Policy Report" (in both Chinese and English) (Theme: Low-Carbon Transformation of Chinese Agrifood Systems). This report systematically explores the key pathways and policy frameworks for the green transition of global and Chinese agrifood systems.

·       Thematic Report "The Macroeconomic and Environmental Impact of China's Alternative Protein Sector" This report provides a forward-looking assessment of the multi-dimensional potential and impacts of novel protein industry development, offering important references for industrial policy formulation and investment decision-making.

·       Policy Brief "Strengthening National Governance for Accelerating Food Systems Transformation" led by Professor Shenggen Fan and completed for the Scientific Advisory Committee of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub (UNFSS), providing high-level academic and decision-making support for global food systems governance.

·       The academy consistently prioritizes the writing and submission of policy briefs. Several briefs submitted by members received positive feedback and instructions from leaders at or above the provincial/ministerial level.

Annual Highlight: Receiving the WAFI "Outstanding Contribution Award"

At the 2025 World Agrifood Innovation Conference (WAFI) held from October 11th to 14th, AGFEP hosted multiple parallel sessions and thematic forums. Focusing on critical topics such as the synergistic development of non-CO₂ greenhouse gas mitigation and food security in agriculture, climate change and resilient agriculture, building diverse and resilient agrifood systems, innovation in the novel protein industry, sustainable dietary transformation, South-South cooperation, poverty and malnutrition eradication, and food loss governance, AGFEP has provided a high-level international exchange platform, promoting interaction and dialogue among various global stakeholders.

AGFEP was awarded the "Outstanding Contribution Award" by the conference organizing committee for its substantial contributions to promoting global dialogue on agricultural science and technology innovation and fostering international academic exchange and cooperation. This award is a high recognition of AGFEP's academic leadership, organizational capabilities, and international influence in the field of global agricultural innovation, signifying the academy's key role in connecting global wisdom and leading discussions on cutting-edge issues.

Research Grants and Individual Honors

·       The major project "Research on the Impact of Great Power Games and Geopolitical Risks on China's Food Security and Countermeasures," for which Professor Li Chunding served as the lead applicant, was approved as a 2025 Major Project of the National Social Science Fund of China.

·       Several academy members received grants in the 2025 National Natural Science Foundation of China project reviews. Professors Wei Si, Qiran Zhao, Qihui Chen, Mingyue Fang, Chen Zhu, and Li Chai were awarded General Program grants, while young scholars including Ningjing Li and Jintao Yang received Young Scientists Fund grants.

·       Professors Shenggen Fan and Xiangming Fang were selected for the Elsevier "Most Cited Chinese Researchers" list. Professors Shenggen Fan and Faqin Lin were selected for the Stanford University "World's Top 2% Scientists" list.

·       Professor Faqin Lin was successfully selected as a Distinguished Professor under a national-level high-level talent program, achieving a breakthrough for the college in this category.

High-Level Publications

·       Academy members published multiple research papers in top international journals such as Nature sub-journals, The Lancet Planetary Health, Food Policy, PNAS NEXUS, as well as in top domestic journals like Economic Research Journal, Social Sciences in China, and Issues in Agricultural Economy. These research covers numerous frontier areas including low-carbon transformation of agrifood systems, food security, nutrition and health, climate change, international trade, and global governance.

Selected Prominent Research Papers:

de Cordoba Farini C F, Branca F, Yoon J H, et al. A centre of gravity: Asia–Pacific leadership in global food systems transformation[J]. The Lancet Planetary Health, 2025, 9(10).

Tian X, Min S, Shen J, et al. Air pollutions affect restaurant and foodservice industry in China[J]. PNAS nexus, 2025, 4(5): pgaf124.

Zhu C, Wang Y, Yang X, et al. Multi-dimensional evidence from the UK Biobank shows the impact of diet and macronutrient intake on aging[J]. Communications Medicine, 2025, 5(1): 36.

Feng X, Liu D, Zhao J, et al. Impact of climate change on farmers' crop production in China: a panel Ricardian analysis[J]. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 2025, 12(1): 1-12.

Yuan S, Wang Y, Li L, et al. Achieving the synergy of health improvements and carbon emission reductions: can food price subsidy policies work in China?[J]. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 2026, 117: 108240.

Zhao Y, Xia F, Li X, et al. How does migration affect the food security and health of children and adults?[J]. Global Food Security, 2025, 47: 100879.

Chen J, Bai J, Lu X, et al. Audiovisual pesticide label: A digital expert to promote accurate pesticide use[J]. China Economic Review, 2025: 102600.

Chen Z, Tian X. The relaxation of birth control policies adversely affects women's income: Evidence from China's universal two-child policy[J]. China Economic Review, 2025, 90: 102340.

Xu W, Gao M, Fan S, et al. Impacts of high-standard farmland construction on farmers' income in China: A comparative analysis of moderate-scale farmers and smallholders[J]. Food Policy, 2026, 138: 102994.

Yang J, Gao B, Xia F, et al. Internalizing the external costs to achieve environmental and economic Goals: A Case study of rice production in China[J]. Food Policy, 2025, 132: 102857.

Long W, Meng T, Tian X, et al. China's food security and food system governance: recent developments and global implications[J]. Food Policy, 2025, 137: 103000.

Zhang Y, Wang J, Fan S. Healthy and Sustainable Diets in China and Their Global Implications[J]. Agricultural Economics, 2025, 56(3): 349-359.

Meng T, Wang J, Headey D, et al. Reshaping Chinese agrifood systems to enhance human nutrition: a scoping review of research[J]. The Journal of Nutrition, 2025.

Hu X, Zhang Y, Fan S, Chen KZ, Wu Q. The Impact of Extreme Weather Events on Global Soybean Markets and China's Imports. Journal of Agricultural Economics. Published online June 5, 2025. doi:10.1111/1477-9552.12632

Shen J, Zhu Z, Fan S, et al. The impact of agricultural specialization on dietary diversity in rural China[J]. International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, 2025, 28(1): 207-233.

Zhang C, Chen J S, Xue L, Han Q*. Understanding the effect of agricultural irrigation infrastructure failures on cropland abandonment in rural China[J]. Review of Development Economics, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/rode.70018

Li J, Quan T S, Han Q*. Open government data and green economic growth[J]. Economic Analysis and Policy, 2025, 85:2207-2218

Xu Q Y, Li C D, Li M. Great power trade games and global climate governance[J]. Social Sciences in China, 2025, (10): 169-186+208. [Chinese] 

Li C D. Do regional trade agreements "create" or "suppress" carbon: Statistical evidence and quantitative simulation[J]. Economic Research Journal, 2025, (4). [Chinese] 

Li C, Dong L L, Xin X. How does the transformation of the global economic and trade order in the post-pandemic era affect economic growth?—A quantitative simulation analysis based on a general equilibrium structural model[J]. China Economic Quarterly, 2025, 25(03): 648-664. DOI: 10.13821/j.cnki.ceq.2025.03.07. [Chinese] 

Fan S G, Zhang Y M. Strategic thinking on the low-carbon transformation of China's agri-food system[J]. Issues in Agricultural Economy, 2024, (12): 15-23. DOI: 10.13246/j.cnki.iae.2024.12.007. [Chinese] 

Long W J, Yang J T, Tian X, et al. The construction foundation, key bottlenecks, and innovative pathways of the benefit compensation mechanism in major grain-producing areas[J]. Journal of South China Agricultural University (Social Science Edition), 2025, 24(03): 17-33. [Chinese] 

Fan S G, Long W J, Meng T. Accelerating the formation of new quality agricultural productive forces to lead the construction of an agricultural powerhouse[J]. Journal of China Agricultural University (Social Sciences), 2025, 42(02): 168-182. DOI: 10.13240/j.cnki.caujsse.20241108.002. [Chinese] 

Fan S G, Long W J. The concept of a greater food approach leads the transformation of the global food system[J]. Agricultural Economics, 2025, (Z1): 41-49. [Chinese] 

Qiao CC, Zhou Y, Tian X. How Dining Patterns Affect the Dietary Structure and Demand Elasticity of Urban Permanent Residents in China. Chinese Rural Economy. 2025, (9). [Chinese]

Organizing Academic Special Issues to Lead Frontier Discussions

The academy actively organized high-level academic special issues to lead disciplinary development. The special issue "Food systems transformation in China and Africa: experiences, lessons, and future directions" in Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering (FASE), organized by Professors Shenggen Fan and Jingjing Wang, was successfully published.

The special issue "Agricultural Clusters, Trade and Supply Chain Resilience, and Food Security in China" in China Economic Review (CER), organized by Professors Shenggen Fan and Faqin Lin, completed the review process and accepted several high-quality articles.

The AGFEP research team published a special feature on the "Big Food concept" in World Agriculture, Issue 10, 2025.

Furthermore, Professor Shenggen Fan's team is currently organizing a FASE special issue on "Building Resilient Agrifood Systems" and a Foods special issue on "Food Loss and Waste in Food Supply Chains" maintaining focus on core topics.

Conference Hosting and International Exchange Network

The academy co-hosted the 2025 World Agrifood Innovation Conference (WAFI), a side event at the Third International Agrobiodiversity Congress, and the China-Africa Agri-Tech and Industrial Cooperation Forum. It also hosted the Launch and Seminar for the "2025 China and Global Food Policy Report," the International Summit on Green and Low-Carbon Agricultural Development, and a Side Event, China-Africa Cooperation for Low-Carbon Agrifood Systems Transformation, at Africa Food Systems Forum 2025, among other academic conferences, building platforms for international exchange and fostering global consensus.

Professor Shenggen Fan led a delegation to visit Morocco and Senegal and attended the Africa Food Systems Forum 2025. A team of AGFEP teachers and students also traveled to the United States to participate in the Agricultural & Applied Economics Association (AAEA) Annual Meeting and visited top institutions including the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). Professor Fan, as an academic representative, attended the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktaking Moment (UNFSS+4) in Ethiopia, presenting key policy recommendations. He also attended COP30 in Brazil, actively participating in global dialogues on climate and food systems governance.

In-depth Field Surveys

In 2025, adhering to the principle of integrating theory with practice, the academy has organized multiple field surveys at the forefront of agricultural production and food consumption.

In Hainan, the survey focus was on the development pathways of tropical characteristic and efficient agriculture under the new circumstances of island-wide customs closure operation. In Shanxi, in-depth thematic research was conducted on the development of coarse grains industries and agrifood systems transformation. In Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, and Hebei, the academy continued its large-scale tracking surveys of rural households. The surveys covered various aspects including household livelihoods, agricultural production, food consumption, living environment, and new types of agricultural business entities, accumulating valuable long-term microdata for future research.

Teaching Achievements and Talent Development

AGFEP has made significant contributions in teaching and talent development:

·       The course "Agriculture, Rural Areas and Farmers of China" led by President Qixin Sun with Professors Bingsheng Ke and Shenggen Fan as core contributors, and the course "International Trade Theory" taught by Professor Hongman Liu, were both selected for the third batch of National First-Class Undergraduate Courses. The course "Reading and Writing Economics Literature" independently taught by Professor Junfei Bai was selected as a China Agricultural University Graduate-Level High-Quality Course.

·       Professor Shu Yang won the First Prize in the Humanities and Social Sciences category and several individual awards at the 14th Beijing Higher Education Institutions Young Teachers Teaching Basic Skills Competition.

·       Furthermore, faculty members  Qiran Zhao, Ting Meng, and Li Xue led delegations of graduate and undergraduate students to the AAEA Annual Meeting in the US and visited several internationally renowned universities and institutions, effectively broadening the students' international perspectives.

2026 Outlook

Looking forward, AGFEP will continue to lead research frontiers on global food systems transformation and constantly expand our research scopes. In 2026, we will persistently focus on core themes such as low-carbon transformation of agrifood systems, food security and global governance, nutrition, health and sustainable diets, and building a strong agricultural nation, deepening cutting-edge research.

We will continue to build and expand our international cooperation network, leveraging the functions of platforms like the World Agrifood Innovation Conference (WAFI), the International Forum of Low-Emission Agrifood Systems (IFLEAS), and the China-Africa Food Policy Network to promote innovative dialogue and practical cooperation globally.

We will further strengthen talent development and team building, improving the talent cultivation system that integrates "industry, academia, research, and application." We aim to provide a broader international stage for the growth of young scholars and students, committed to cultivating more compound-type leading talents who understand and are dedicated to agriculture with a global perspective.

We will continue to advise on major national strategic decisions with solid academic research while actively participating in global agenda-setting, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to addressing global challenges and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.