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Partnering for food security in emerging markets

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Publication date
14/06/2013
Number of Pages
41
Language:
English
Type of Publication:
Studies
Focus Region:
Asia and the Pacific
Sub-Saharan Africa
Focus Topic:
Market / Trade
Type of Risk:
Market-related
Type of Risk Managment Option:
Risk coping
Commodity:
Crops
Author
Swiss Re

People have always had to overcome impediments to secure food. Although technology has generally managed to increase food supply sufficiently, food security, especially in emerging markets, has not improved significantly despite the tremendous efforts taken by national governments and supranational organisations. Indeed, food security is set to become an even greater challenge given the rapidly increasing world population. It is estimated that global agricultural production will have to increase as much as 60% by 2050 if it is to meet people’s growing need for food. Rising global food prices (+74% since 2005)1 and the 2012 drought in the United States, deemed the worst since the 1950s, have sounded the alarm that food supplies, especially to emerging markets, have become increasingly inadequate. To meet the growing food needs of an increasing population, a massive investment in agriculture – albeit in the midst of an economic crisis – is the first crucial step on the road to food security.