Global Food Crisis, a Repeat of 2008?

KLCI is grappling up for a successful 4 days in a row this week, and perhaps today is the 5th day of record breaking level. However, I am concerned about the health and the sustainability of the market, after reading a report by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). And, one of the popular Mandarin Dailies highlighted the potential food crisis as its main topic today. Finance Malaysia did some analysis, and would like to comment on the issue which could be a hot topic for many nations very soon, including Malaysia.

In fact, international prices of most agricultural commodities have increased in recent months, some sharply. This has led to a level near to its peak in June 2008.

What causing the prices to increased?

• worsening outlook for crops in key producing countries, which require large draw downs of stocks and result in tighter global supply and demand balances
• of course, weakening USD, which continues to sustain the prices of nearly all commodities
• continuous money pouring in for commodities investing too (spicing up speculations)

Fault of commodities investors?

Globally, investors are trying to hedge against inflation, trying to make profit as much as possible. These return hunger investors prompt investment banks to structure and roll-out commodities or resources fund, which invest in commodities related shares and futures. In fact, the world is trading according to the market price, which is the said futures contract. Consequently, commodities investors indirectly pushing up the prices. Are you one of those investors?

Source: FAO website

Repeat of 2008 global food crisis

Although food reserves are larger now after the 2008 lesson, a series of unexpected downward revisions to crop forecasts in several major producing countries pushes world prices to an alarming stage and at a much faster pace than in 2007/08.

As such, Finance Malaysia expects global food crisis is building its momentum now. A repeat of 2008 global food crisis will led us to experience the same scenario listed below, let's be prepared:

• Surging oil price, etc petrol, soy oil, palm oil
• Surging sugar price (people rushing to hypermarkets everyday)
• Surging wheat price (subsequently bread, mee, kuey teow...)
• Riot and demonstrations held weekly, if not daily
• Governments struggles to contain inflation

Source: Various, FAO website