FAO: Developing Countries Still Struggle with High Food Prices

Despite decline in food prices and improved global supplies of cereals, developing countries still struggle with high food prices, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned. According to FAO's Crop Prospects and Food Situation report, food prices are significantly higher compared to last year's in 47 of the 58 developing countries studied. FAO says that the situation is worst in sub-Saharan Africa. Prices of maize, millet and sorghum are higher in 89 percent of the countries compared to a year earlier.

FAO also identified "hunger hotspots", countries where food emergencies continue. Asian countries such as Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Myanmar are included in FAO's list of hunger hotspots. Millions of people face serious food insecurity in African countries such as war-ravaged Democratic Republic of Congo, where food rations have reportedly been halved following reduced supplies as well as in Sudan and Somalia.

For the complete news article, visit http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/12660/icode/ FAO's Crop Prospects and Food Situation report is available for download at http://www.fao.org/docrep/011/ai481e/ai481e00.htm