Weather prompts food–price warning

CONSUMERS could face more spikes in food prices as extreme weather caused by climate change affects major crops worldwide, according to a new Oxfam report.

The charity claims that the full impact of climate change on future food prices is being underestimated and warns that consumers will become more vulnerable to events like the current US drought as dependence on exports of wheat and maize increases.

The report, titled Extreme Weather, Extreme Prices, says a US drought in 2030 could raise the price of maize by as much as 140 per cent over and above the average price of food, which is already likely to be double today’s prices.

Drought and flooding in southern Africa could increase the consumer price of maize and other coarse grains by as much as 120 per cent by 2030, the report says.