Rising food price volatility a major concern: World Bank

31 Jul 2012 Evaluate

Expressing concern over the volatile food prices across globe and the likely impact on the poor, which is mainly on the back of drought like situation in countries like the United States and India, World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim said, the situation would further worsen since other countries are also currently suffering from weather-related production issues.

The uneven spread of monsoon has affected the wheat crop with heavy rains in many European countries, whereas less rainfall in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan have hit the crop production badly.  India, on the other hand, with 22% deficient rainfall, will also have negative implications on the prices, if rains do not pick up going forward.

World Bank data revealed that prices of all non-rice grains - wheat, corn and soybeans have risen in 2012, with wheat up by almost 50% since mid-June. Corn has risen by over 45%, soybeans up almost 30% since mid-June and on yearly basis almost by 60%. This kind of price volatility creates irregularity in the market and poses fundamental food security risks for consumers and governments, and thereby discourages required investment in agriculture for development, which on the other side increases financial risks and uncertainty for producers and traders.

Yong Kim by adding further said World Bank is keeping a close eye on the situation so that it can help governments set policies in place to help people better cope. However, the crop projections, so far do not indicate the potential for actual shortages in the major grains; stocks are low, and the entire situation depends on the global weather, which makes prices more vulnerable to higher volatility.

Though the prices of many food items have risen sharply, the World Bank however, noted that the present situation differ from the 2008 crisis. The government on its part has to take necessary steps to ensure that rural livelihoods are protected, with agricultural sector being on the spotlight.

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