Fuel is just one factor in the commodity boom that is expected to continue due to income and population growth, freer trade and globalization, and resource scarcity, according to a Rabobank report, “The Boom Beyond Commodities.” Food prices are anticipated to remain high and there will be substantial growth prospects for some sectors of the food industry. “While biofuels will be responsible for a significant share of added demand for commodities in the coming years, food will remain... ...Read more »

ICM, Inc., a US leader in the ethanol industry, has announced that ethanol biorefineries will be capable of commercially producing both food and fuel in 2010. “We are talking about the ‘ethanol biorefinery of the future’…and very near future at that,” proclaimed Dave Vander Griend, founder, president and CEO of ICM. “Fifty years ago, the U.S. fed the world. We will be able to do that again with a food supply brought about by the evolution of ethanol production.” The... ...Read more »

Amidst global concern about potential food shortages and skyrocketing food prices, the biofuels debate has become heated. Many have been blaming the use of food for fuel as a key reason for the escalating food prices with the US Department of Agriculture attributing 20% of food price rises to biofuels. Consequently, news of research into biofuels produced from non-food sources is very welcome. DuPont and Genencor, a division of Danisco A/S, have announced an agreement to form DuPont Danisco... ...Read more »

World food production and prices are major global issues at the moment and concern about the food crisis, dubbed the “silent tsunami”, does not appear likely to die down anytime soon. Yoseph Yilak, Head of the Ethiopian Grain Traders Association, joined the growing chorus of calls for biofuel programs to be stopped. “We have gone from three meals a day to two. Then it will be one meal. Then we will die. Why is the world taking corn for fuel? It will mean the death of many... ...Read more »

US President George W Bush has pledged $770 million to assist with international food aid following the surge in global food prices. The spiralling cost of food has already seen riots in many countries and requires a global solution to the issue. “We’re sending a clear message to the world that America will lead the fight against hunger for years to come,” said Mr Bush. The US commitment comes following a UN task-force being set up to discuss potential solutions to combat decreasing... ...Read more »