The Global Food Crisis

A combine harvester gathers wheat in southern Russia early on July 18
The effect on the region east of the Urals, which is responsible for providing grain to the rest of Siberia, is particularly worrisome. (With STRATFOR map) [more]
Farm workers thresh wheat near Amritsar, India, on Oct. 5
December 5, 2008 1309 GMT
A temporary fall in global food prices does not imply that the drop is permanent. [more]
Indian farmer in flooded rice paddy
September 24, 2008 2005 GMT
With the exception of rice, global food prices seem to be in recovery as plentiful harvests bear fruit globally. Investors remain cautious, however, as government restrictions and unpredictable weather remain of concern. [more]
Afghan farmers harvesting wheat
August 20, 2008 1936 GMT
Food commodity prices have moderated across the board in response to falling oil prices through most of the summer. [more]
A harvester works a field in the Russian village of Nur-Shari
Russia is planning to set up a state grain trading company to control around half of the country's cereal exports. [more]
U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab holding farm subsidy graph
July 23, 2008 2229 GMT
A U.S.-EU agreement on agriculture is necessary for the World Trade Organization's Doha talks to make progress. But even then, progress is not assured. [more]
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Turning his focus to the second of the two evil twins currently plaguing the global economy, analyst Peter Zeihan discusses the near-term outlook on food prices and their impact on political tensions in the developed and developing worlds. [more]
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The G-8 -- the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Canada, Italy and Russia -- gathered Monday for a summit that will seek to discuss and reach agreements on topics such as climate change and high oil and food prices. [more]
Flooded Iowa corn field
Flooding in Iowa is having a severe impact on the U.S. corn crop, and market repercussions will be felt worldwide. Japan is particularly vulnerable, Mexico even more so. [more]
Pakistani farmers carrying wheat bundles
A plan by Gulf countries to use their current glut of petrodollars to buy food security via foreign agribusiness investments is not a foolproof strategy. [more]
A Russian oil well outside the city of Nefteyugansk
Russia is a clear winner in the current energy and food markets, but Moscow has new burdens to carry even as it enjoys a strong economic position. [more]
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While oil prices have risen, so have the prices of food -- the world's most strategic commodity. [more]
A wheat field in California
Though food exporting countries are expecting a good harvest season, the continuing rise of fuel prices -- along with increasing demand -- will eventually push food prices higher. [more]
Pakistan-Grains
The U.N. Secretary-General has warned that failure to address the global food crisis properly could lead to economic, social and political crises around the world. In some areas, political aftershocks are already apparent, as a wrap-up of recent events in Latin America indicates. [more]
Colombian trucks hauling food
A Venezuelan statement that Colombia would slash its meat exports appears to have been false, but it points to Caracas' real need to find a scapegoat for skyrocketing food prices. [more]
Mexican farmers protest
The global increase in food prices has landed heavily on Mexico's doorstep. [more]
India - Rice Paddy work
The World Bank has announced a $1.2 billion fast-track funding facility to help combat the impact of higher food prices for the poorest people in countries hardest hit by shortages. Importantly, the Bank will also move to boost food production by supplying seeds and fertilizers, and set up a multi-donor trust to leverage financial support for small farmers.But does this mean food prices will come down? As Colin Chapman reports, the supply side of agriculture is the problem. [more]
Argentine farmers protesting with sign
Argentine farmers have begun their third strike in less than three months and plan to block food exports for four days. [more]
Graphic for Geopolitical Intelligence Report
May 27, 2008 1913 GMT
As oil prices passed $120 a barrel, they clearly began to have global impact. Recently, we have seen startling rises in the price of food, particularly grains. The world is refocusing on high commodity prices. [more]
German dairy farmer and cow protesting milk prices
The European Union's Common Agricultural Policy is getting a closer look from member states as food prices continue to rise across Europe. [more]
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