What's New

FAO has released the latest global Food Price Index, citing a 1% increase in food prices in February. Despite this increase, the Food Price Index for February remains 10% below its peak in February 2011.

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.

GIEW has released its Global Food Price Monitor for November, 2011. The report cites a drop in the FAO Food Price Index to an 11-month low in October, based on sharp decreases in the price of all commodities covered by the report except for rice. Rice prices remained firm in October but did not increase despite Thailand's new price procurement policy and flooding in Southeast Asia.

In addition, cereals prices in East Africa also declined, but remain well above 2010 levels.

Download the full report.

FEWS NET has released its Global Price Watch for September 2011, citing continuing high prices in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Africa's newest nation, South Sudan, is also facing increased prices on some staple goods due to conflict and trade restrictions. Global rice prices saw a moderate upswing, due in part to Thailand's new rice price subsidy.

View the full report and the annex

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full report
annex

India's Department of Food and Public Distribution has released a draft of the National Food Security Bill on its website and is encouraging the public to comment and make suggestions by the end of September.