What's New

In recent days, the price for soft wheat has increased, as has its volatility. This increase in volatility has likely stemmed from reports that cold weather in Europe may damage crops, a fear that may in fact have been overstated. Reports from Russia about a potential new levy on wheat exports starting in April 2012 may have also played a part in this week's increased volatility.

GIEWS has released crop prospect reports for maize for both Argentina and Mexico, citing deteriorating 2012 crop prospects due to recent dry weather. Despite this reduction, production in Argentina is still expected to be average. Mexican production is expected to be below the five-year average but still higher than the poor 2011 crop.

Download the report for Argentina .

Download the report for Mexico

Asymmetry of information is a major obstacle to increasing global food security. Having access to reliable food price and market information is critical for policymakers, food policy experts, and researchers to be able to respond quickly to dynamic developments in the global food system.

Economic growth in developing countries is often constrained by a lack of access to regional and global markets. Without reliable access to fair, transparent markets, the poor in developing countries stand little chance of escaping poverty and hunger. In recent years, the call for structural reforms of global markets has increased, focusing largely on protectionist trade policies such as export restrictions and tariffs.

Food security and economic growth are closely linked through global markets, trade, and investments. The actions of global businesses, particularly in developed countries, play a crucial role in creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, encouraging investment and innovation in the agricultural sector, and reforming the structure of international markets to ensure economic stability.