Food Prices Climbing, With No End in Sight

[babylonsister]

Food Prices Climbing, With No End in Sight
by Abra Pollock

WASHINGTON - Globalisation, climate change, and the mass production of biofuels are pushing up food prices worldwide, which could jeopardise the livelihoods of the world’s poorest, according to a report released Tuesday by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).


“Food prices have been steadily decreasing since the Green Revolution, but the days of falling food prices may be over,” said Joachim von Braun, lead author of the report and director general of IFPRI.

Titled, “The World Food Situation: New Driving Forces and Required Actions”, the 16-page report examined how various global trends are impacting world hunger on both the supply and demand ends of the market.

“Surging demand for feed, food, and fuel have recently led to drastic price increases, which are not likely to fall in the foreseeable future,” von Braun said. But “climate change will also have a negative impact on food production.”

Similar findings have been reported by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation, according to IFPRI.

Researchers predict that shifting weather conditions resulting from climate change will disrupt rainfall patterns that farmers rely on to nourish their crops and water the grasslands that feed their livestock. As a result, cereal production in South Asia could drop 22 percent by 2080, while wheat production in Africa may virtually disappear by that time, the report said.

Furthermore, temperature increases of more than three degrees Celsius could in turn lift food prices by as much as 40 percent.

more...

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/12/06/5656/

[glowing]

1. We had a Canadian staying at the hotel I work for, and the Canadian

was saying the dollars mirror one another... and he cannot understand why our grocery prices are so high... they aren't that high in Canada. So, what's the truth here. You know farmers, truckers, and grocery baggers aren't making more money, so what gives... I know gas prices are up, but they are up in Canada as well... so how do they do it?

[Jim__]

2. Does Canada import food from the US?

That could explain some of it. The decrease in the value of the dollar relative to the Canadian dollar.

[Auggie]

4. The distributors. wholesalers and retailers are making the money

I remember hearing a few years ago it cost a major winery maybe .40 to .50¢ to make one single bottle of wine that eventually retailed for $8.99. Along the way every channel of distribution marked-up the price by 100% (in states with draconian liquor laws add in sin taxes).

In addition to the retail mark-up of food products, big grocery chains charge a "slotting" fee for the privilege of allowing your product into their store. Food producers must factor this into the cost of goods.

[shanti]

3. yes, it's definitely happening

my monthly food bill is at least 30% more now than it was last year!

[glowing]

5. I'm planning my summer garden now.

[terisan]

6. My daughter (single & job hunting) told me she just spent 2 hours with a nutritionist in NYC

who showed her how to eat nutritionally and keep her energy up although not having much money. It was heavy on organizing around your schedule and sticking to the basics-like peanut butter, bagging your lunch, and splurging on restaurants when not hungry.

This nutritionist was able to listen and build a program around lifestyle. I don't know if that is typical.

For 2008 I (living alone on not much money) am trying to buy a few bulk items to last for the year (just got a supply of Indian rice), and build around that with some fresh items. Am thinking of going back to making my own yogurt. (Is this worth the savings)?

Aargh! I just gave up on my avocado addiction due to prices.

I can't imagine what a big family food budget must be like.