The destructive earthquake, which hit the south of China last week, could have repercussions worldwide in terms of food production. For now, though, prices and supplies are unlikely to be effected. The earthquake has destroyed over 75,000 acres of farmland in the Sichuan province, an important growing area in China for rice, wheat and corn, with 12.5 million livestock and poultry dead. Wei Chao’an, China’s vice minister for agriculture, told a news conference that the earthquake... ...Read more »
Australia may have its own food crisis, with the WA Vegetable Growers Association indicating their fear that WA will be unable to feed itself with fresh local produce by about 2020. The WA Vegetable Growers Association has called on the state government to create a regulatory authority to license growers and ensure sufficient production levels. Grower margins have become an issue as skyrocketing costs outweigh any increases in sale prices. Chief Executive of the WA Vegetable Growers Association,... ...Read more »
Peak horticulture body Growcom has reacted with outrage at Queensland legislation introduced last night which has withdrawn damage mitigation permits for the shooting of flying foxes. The decision came after almost a decade of campaigning by conservationists. Growcom Chief Executive Officer Jan Davis said the lack of consultation with Queensland’s $1.14 billion fruit industry on the issue was a disgrace and the decision must be reversed immediately. “Primary Industries & Fisheries... ...Read more »
The issues of food and health, the environment and food inflation formed the core themes of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) President’s speech at the recent FDF President’s Dinner held at the Waldorf Hotel in London. Iain Ferguson, the President of the FDF, highlighted the ongoing challenges currently facing the food and drink manufacturing sector particularly: food labelling, reformulation, environmental best practice, and the new demands put on our food supply. With regard... ...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 »
Predictions of a record Australian wheat crop have been hit by drought in the grain belt of NSW. Despite this, record planting levels are set to become a reality with strong harvests dependant upon some wet weather in the coming months. The NSW Government have released their latest drought figures, which indicate 48.4% of the state is now in drought as opposed to 42.9% in March. The NSW DPI has now predicted planting of about 3.4 hectares of wheat with those figures reliant on “good... ...Read more »
The price of rice, a staple food commodity, is set to remain at or near record highs for the remainder of the year, but optimism about a fall next year is growing. The news, from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), is welcome as fear of a food shortage grips the world, leading to panic buying and protests in some countries. It also is great news for food retailers who are currently being stung by the rapid rise in food price inflation (particularly for wheat, corn, rice and dairy products). Rice... ...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 »
The humble potato could prove to be a vital ingredient in the quest for a solution to the food crisis. With their ability to be grown in many different locations and climates, coupled with their wide number of potential uses, they may prove pivotal in overcoming a potential global food shortage. Some potato varieties are able to mature within 50 days, many do not require great amounts of water to grow and they can potentially yield up to four times more food per hectare than wheat or rice; thus... ...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 »