United Nations Radio

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) says the world food supply looks less vulnerable to shocks this year than it was during the food crisis in 2008.

In its Food Outlook published on Thursday, the agency says the second highest recorded cereals crop production is expected this year.

FAO adds that the bumper crop has facilitated replenishment of global reserves to pre-crisis levels.

The UN agricultural agency says in spite of strong gains in recent weeks, international prices of most agricultural commodities have fallen this year from their 2008 heights.

According to FAO, this is an indication that many markets are slowly returning into balance.

The agency points out, however, that food prices remain high in many developing countries.

FAO says poor people continue to face the threat of hunger because of loss of employment, income and other effects of the global economic crisis.

Diane Bailey, United Nations.
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