Price volatility and food security

This report is the final version of a study on price volatility prepared by the HLPN for the 37th session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS). It was undertaken by a a team of experts including Benoit Daviron (Team leader, France), Niama Nago Dembele (Mali), Sophia Murphy (Canada) and Shahidur Rashid (Bangladesh). It first offer three explanations for recent price behaviour in international food markets : an excessive price volatility, recurrent food crises, and an emerging scarcity of resources. Then the report presents options to contain price volatility at the international level. It explains the linkages between high price volatility and food insecurity. Finally, it discusses political options to limit food price volatility at the national level, and concludes on the role of the CFS in the global governance of food security.

The High Level Panel of Experts, Committee on World Food Security - July 2011