United Nations Radio

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that the poorest countries are still suffering from high food prices.

man with sack of food aid

In its latest "Crop Prospects and Food Situation " report, published on Tuesday ahead of the World Summit on Food Security to be held in Rome next week, FAO says critical food insecurity is affecting 31 countries.

The UN agriculture agency stresses the need to provide emergency assistance to these countries, particularly in Eastern Africa where drought and conflict have put an estimated 20 million in need of food aid.

FAO notes that although international food prices have fallen significantly since their peaks a couple of years ago, wheat and maize prices strengthened in October and rice export prices are still way above pre-crisis levels.

The FAO report says food prices in poor countries that are net importers of food still remain stubbornly high despite a good world cereal production this year

Jocelyne Sambira, United Nations
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