Food prices have been always been important for consumer organisations. The issue became a priority in 2008, when a global spike prompted riots and demonstrations around the world, and is thought to have pushed 40 million people into hunger.

Prices decreased for a time and rose again, reaching an all time high in February 2011.

The reasons for global food price rises are complex and manifold. Supply shortages, rising oil prices, climate change and commodity speculation all play a part.

The price people pay for food is further affected by local economic and political factors.

In a recent survey of CI members, lack of competition policy, inflation, rapid urbanisation and currency depreciation were named as local influences. One thing that is for certain is that the biggest impact is felt by the world's poorest consumers.

CI provides a quarterly international overview of current news, research, policy developments, CI member and NGO activity in relation to food prices.

From our latest monitor

• The UN warns of vulnerability in the global food system. It urges the international community to spread risks by promoting sustainable food production in poor, food-importing countries.
• The UN Rapporteur on the right to food calls on governments to establish strategic food reserves and to pre-position them in risk-prone regions.
• The EC proposes draft legislation to cap at 5% the amount of crop-based biofuels that count towards the EU's target for renewable transport fuel. This aims to incentivise development of 2nd generation biofuels derived from non-food raw materials.
• CI member, Consumentenbond publishes new research highlighting the significant savings that can be made when choosing between brands in Dutch supermarkets.

• Recent NGO activity relating to food prices focuses on the impact of commodity speculation, climate change and grain reserves. We highlight work by WDM, Oxfam, IATP and ActionAID.