food crisis

Rising food prices highlight need to boost investment in agriculture – UN official

The head of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today stressed the need to boost investment in agriculture to ensure long-term food security, while also calling for urgent structural changes to the global food system.

Global food prices may be even higher next year, warns new UN report

Global food import bills may pass the $1 trillion mark in 2010, a level not seen since food prices peaked in 2008, says a new United Nations report, which warns that harder times could be ahead without a major increase in food production next year.

Millions in DPR Korea to face food shortages despite good harvest – UN agencies

Two United Nations food agencies warned today that about five million people living in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) will continue to face food shortages despite a relatively good harvest and a slight increase in food supply.

Renewed instability in global food markets requires urgent response – UN expert

An independent United Nations human rights expert today called on governments and the international community to promptly tackle the renewed instability of global food markets, noting the related social unrest that has hit some countries in recent weeks.

Global wheat production forecast to be lower than expected – UN

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has cut its global wheat production forecast for 2010 due to the impact of poor weather on crops in recent weeks, but allayed fears of a new food crisis, noting that current stocks should be adequate.

Independent UN expert urges legal reforms to boost right to food

The right to food has gained significant recognition in Africa, Asia, Latin America and South Asia, but more national institutional reforms are needed to ensure that the fight against hunger is rooted in legal mechanisms, a United Nations expert has said.