United Nations Radio

High food prices persist in developing countries despite an improved global cereal supply situation and a sharp decline in international food prices.

food prices high in developing countries

The warning comes from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization- FAO in its latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation report, which says this is creating further hardship for millions of poor people already suffering from hunger and undernourishment.

FAO says an analysis of domestic food prices for 58 developing countries shows that in around 80 percent of the cases food prices are higher than 12 months ago, and around 40 percent higher than three months ago.

FAO says cereal prices in developing countries remain generally very high - in some cases at record levels. Worst affected are the urban poor and food-deficit farmers who are dependent on the market to access food.

FAO points out that food emergencies persist in 32 countries, despite good 2008 cereal crops in many of the countries normally most at risk of food insecurity.
The UN agency says the situation is most dramatic in sub-Saharan Africa.

Donn Bobb, United Nations Radio.

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