What's Causing Higher and More Volatile Food Prices Around the World?
Channel: Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Date: 14/09/2011

Over the last five years, global food prices have risen dramatically, and become much more volatile. After decades of low prices, disruptions in global agriculture markets are having serious effects on food security, farmers and the environment.

Last year, the UN Committee on Food Security, the foremost intergovernmental platform addressing global food security and nutrition, created a High-level Panel of Experts to analyze what is causing higher food prices and increased volatility -- and to issue recommendations. The report, published last month, considers the role of excessive speculation on commodity markets, expanding demand for biofuels and export bans, as well as the role of food reserves in addressing volatility. The report will be presented to the Committee on World Food Security in Rome in October.

Please join us for a webinar with two of the report's lead authors to hear about their findings, and steps that can be taken at the international level to address these critical challenges.

Panelists:
Benoit Daviron, CIRAD (Agricultural Research for Development)
Sophia Murphy, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy

Moderated by:
Jim Harkness, President, IATP