17 November 2010, Rome - Assistant Director-General, Economic and Social Development Department, Hafez Ghanem speaking during the FAO press briefing held to launch the latest edition of the FAO Food Outlook publication, the most comprehensive report on global food commodities, designed to guide policy makers on developments in world production, consumption, trade, and prices.
International prices of most agricultural commodities have increased sharply in recent months, raising fears that food prices may soar to levels not seen since the 2007-2008 food crisis. The November edition of the Food Outlook offers the latest market indicators for 2010/11 and an early assessment of crop prospects for next year. The FAO Food Outlook is a biannual publication (June and November) focusing on developments affecting global food and feed markets.