Officials predict prolonged high food prices

[June 17, 2011]  PARIS (AP) -- A global world food report is warning that prolonged high prices are likely to persist over the next decade, putting the poor at an increasing risk of malnutrition.

Friday's joint report of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization and the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said the risk of price volatility that has hurt farmers across the globe remains high.

It also says droughts on several continents could have a serious impact on harvests.

The report says production growth will continue to slow down over the coming years, putting increasing pressure on governments to feed the needy as the world population is expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050.

[Associated Press]

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