The United Nations Food Agency announced on Friday that it has convened an emergency meeting regarding the recent rise in food prices, responding to fears that a shortage similar to the one that caused unrest in certain parts of the world two years ago could recur.
The announcement by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations followed Russia’s decision to extend its ban on wheat exports. This move has been cited as one of the reasons for the 5% increase in global food prices over the past two months. Their level during this period reached the highest value in two years. Agency spokesperson Christopher Matthews stated that the intergovernmental committee meeting on grains will be held on September 24, most likely in Rome. A large number of member countries have expressed concern that a food crisis similar to that of 2008 could reoccur.
UN agency officials and other experts emphasize that the current situation differs from that of 2008 when high oil prices and increased demand for biofuels led to a drop in food stocks to the lowest level since 1982. This year’s drought in Russia and the subsequent decision by Moscow to limit wheat exports have caused a sharp rise in wheat prices, the agency highlighted. Higher prices for sugar and rapeseed have also played a role in this increase. Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin stated on Thursday in a statement to Russian television that he has extended the ban on wheat exports until the 2011 harvest to ensure sufficient time for recovery from the drought and fires that have destroyed 20% of the crop this year. (H)
