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Climate Change Poses Additional Challenges for Food Security

Jul 13th, 2011 • by Sara Gustafson

With the global population predicted to reach 9 billion by 2050, and incomes in developing countries to continue rising as well, increased global demand for food in the coming decades will place unprecedented pressure on sustainable food production. Climate change poses a further challenge, as changes in temperature and precipitation threaten agricultural productivity and the world’s capacity to feed a growing population.

GIEWS Releases Global Food Price Monitor for July

Jul 8th, 2011 • by Sara Gustafson

GIEWS has released the latest Global Food Price Monitor, citing a slight rise in the FAO Food Price Index for June. The increase is based in large part on strong increases in global sugar prices, which are up 14 percent from May. At 234 points, June's Food Price Index remains 4 percent lower than the all-time high hit in February 2011.

Excessive Food Price Variability Early Warning System Launched

Jul 6th, 2011 • by Sara Gustafson

IFPRI launched the Excessive Food Price Variability Early Warning System today. This new tool measures excessive food price variability and is the only mechanism currently available to identify time spans of increased price variability. It is updated daily and forewarns policymakers and humanitarian agencies of periods of time with excessive food price variability.

US Senate Votes to End Ethanol Subsidies

Jun 27th, 2011 • by Sara Gustafson

The US Senate on Thursday voted to eliminate billions of dollars in federal ethanol subisidies, making it unlikely that the current 45-cent-per-gallon subsidy for refiners and 54-cent-per-gallon tariff on imported ethanol will be extended beyond the end of the year.