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The state of food insecurity in the world 2011

  • 10/10/2011
  • FAO

This new global hunger report focuses on high and volatile food prices and warns that food price volatility may increase over the next decade due to stronger linkages between agricultural and energy markets and more frequent extreme weather events.

The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2011 highlights the differential impacts that the world food crisis of 2006-08 had on different countries, with the poorest being most affected. While some large countries were able to deal with the worst of the crisis, people in many small import-dependent countries experienced large price increases that, even when only temporary, can have permanent effects on their future earnings capacity and ability to escape poverty. This year’s report focuses on the costs of food price volatility, as well as the dangers and opportunities presented by high food prices. Climate change and an increased frequency of weather shocks, increased linkages between energy and agricultural markets due to growing demand for biofuels, and increased financialization of food and agricultural commodities all suggest that price volatility is here to stay. The report describes the effects of price volatility on food security and presents policy options to reduce volatility in a cost-effective manner and to manage it when it cannot be avoided.

See Also

Report: Who's best prepared for a climate and hunger crisis?

Report: The state of food insecurity in the world 2010.

Report: OECD-FAO agricultural outlook.

Report: Escalating food prices.

Report: National Food Security Bill.

Report: The food price crisis and urban food insecurity.

Report: The state of food insecurity in urban India.

Report: The state of food insecurity in rural India.

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