Growing demand for biofuels, extreme weather and climate change, and increased financial activity through commodity futures markets are the main causes of high and volatile food prices, according to the 2011 Global Hunger Index report, The Challenge of Hunger: Taming Price Spikes and Excessive Food Price Volatility. These challenges are exacerbated by historically low levels of grain reserves, export markets for staple commodities that are highly concentrated in a few countries, and lack of timely, accurate information on food production, stock levels, and price forecasting, which can lead to overreaction by policymakers and soaring prices.
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Report
2011 Global Hunger Index
The Challenge of Hunger: Taming Price Spikes and Excessive Food Price Volatility
October 2011. IFPRI, Welthungerhilfe, and Concern Worldwide.
English | Deutsch | Français | Italiano
Press Release
New Global Hunger Index Report Calls for Action to Curtail High and Volatile Prices and Protect the Poor
Download: English | Français
Fact Sheets
- Background Facts and Key Findings
Download: English | Français - Facts and Findings: Sub-Saharan Africa
- Facts and Findings: Asia
- Case Study Fact Sheet: Kenya
- Case Study Fact Sheet: Tajikistan
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