FAO reports improved conditions as world food prices stabilized in January and crop outputs are expected to be favorable in 2013. The UN agency also reports that unexpected weather changes could pose serious risks as global reserves remain tight. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/07/us-food-fao-idUSBRE9160A220130207
USDA Declares Drought Disaster in Much of Wheat Belt
Wheat-growers in the Great Plains of the United States are set to collect record insurance payments for crops lost during the 2012 drought. The Department of Agriculture declared several counties natural disaster zones and has paid nearly $11 billion in indemnities to farmers whose wheat crops suffered last year. http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/09/us-usda-drought-idUSBRE90812X20130109
Food in 2013: Pay more, Waste Less
The Canadian newspaper, The Globe and Mail, wrote that Canadians are likely to see a 1.5%-3.5% increase in food prices in 2013 due to various factors like the 2012 drought, changes in market supply, and overall climate change. The article promotes cutting food waste, as high as 38% in Canadian households, as a top strategy […]
Hungary Says Feed Maize Contains Toxin, Tightens Controls
Hungary food safety authorities have found the country’s feed maize supply to be contimated with aflatoxin. Some officials suggest this year’s severe drought might have caused the increased presence of aflatoxin. http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/10/hungary-maize-idUSL5E8NACY620121210
Wheat Gains for Second Day as Drought May Erode U.S. Supplies
The drought in the United States continues on and now threatens the hard, red winter wheat crop. Warmer temperatures may cause faster maturation, putting the crops at risk if temperatures do eventually drop to colder levels typical of winter months. Scientists from Iowa, a top grain growing state, said the drought demonstrates the strong need […]
Weather and Climate
Natural disasters, extreme weather, and climate change can cause significant levels of crop loss. Storms like Hurricane Sany and the Tamil Cyclone have flooded fields and ruined crops while hardhitting droughts continue to cripple major grain suppliers in the United States. A major challenge facing stakeholders of the global food system is to reduce postharvest […]
Scientists Urge Action After Crop Losses
The drought in the United States continues on and now threatens the hard, red winter wheat crop. Warmer temperatures may cause faster maturation, putting the crops at risk if temperatures do eventually drop to colder levels typical of winter months. Scientists from Iowa, a top grain growing state, said the drought demonstrates the strong need […]
U.S. Drought Worsening, Wheat Crop Suffering
The FAO predicts the balance of world cereal supply and demand will be tighter in 2012-2013 than in 2011-2012 due to climate effects. The US drought continues with over half the country suffering at least moderate conditions. Prices are projected to be high, though India stands to benefit. On Saturday, the Food Corporation of India will […]
FAO Slashes Grain F’casts, World Food Prices Stay High
The FAO predicts the balance of world cereal supply and demand will be tighter in 2012-2013 than in 2011-2012 due to climate effects. The US drought continues with over half the country suffering at least moderate conditions. Prices are projected to be high, though India stands to benefit. On Saturday, the Food Corporation of India will […]
Information Technology Mitigates Effects of Climate Events in the Developing Countries
Information technology is being used to address PHL in smallholder African farming communities, by giving access to market information, preventing price exploitation by speculators, and through the provision of warehouse receipts. Esoko in Ghana is partnered with the International Finance Corporation and the Soros Economic Development Fund on a project which sends crop price text […]