The Global Food Crisis

Like oil, food is a commodity whose cost and availability can shape the international system. As transport costs, farm subsidies, urbanization and other factors push food prices upward, shortages and social unrest loom. Which nations are winners in this scenario, and which are losers?

Key Analysis
Indian farmer in flooded rice paddy
SAM PANTHAKY/AFP/Getty Images
An Indian farmer in a flooded rice paddy
Global Food Prices Rebound, With Exceptions
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
Food Commodities: A Stabilizing Outlook
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: Fears of Grain as a Political Tool
August 1, 2008 1828 GMT
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
U.S., EU: A Possible Doha Deal
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]
Podcast thumbnail
Looking Ahead: Global Economy - Part 2
July 11, 2008 1232 GMT
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]
Geopolitical Diary icon
Geopolitical Diary: The Importance of Sideline Action at the G-8
July 8, 2008 0157 GMT
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]
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