Global Food Security Update (May 2011)

KEY MESSAGES

• Overall, international food prices remained stable in April, increasing only slightly from their levels in March. However, cereal prices increased sharply. Furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest any fundamental changes to the recent general upward trend in the prices of most agricultural commodities.

• According to recent research by the Asian Development Bank, a 10 percent rise in domestic food prices could push an additional 64 million people in the region into poverty.

• The Emergency Relief Coordinator has called for coordinated action at the country level to tackle the impacts of rising food prices, including through increased monitoring and contingency planning.