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Increased productivity and a more sustainable food system will improve global food securityWhile markets appear to have entered calmer conditions after record highs last year, food commodity prices are anticipated to remain on a higher plateau over the next decade, underpinned by firm demand but a slowing growth in global production. |
How to use this site
- Database: Consult and download all historical and projected data by commodity, country and variable
(e.g. production, consumption, price, import/export) - Commodity focus: Go straight to the main information for each agricultural commodity group
(biofuels, cereals, dairy, fish, meat, oilseeds, sugar) - Publication: Access the online or print edition of the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook
Overview: A time for change
Agricultural production needs to increase by 60% over the next 40 years to meet rising demand for food. Additional production will also be necessary to provide feedstock for expanding biofuel production. Increasing agricultural productivity will be central to containing food prices in a context of rising resource constraints and will be a key factor in reducing global food insecurity.
At the same time, there is a growing need to improve the sustainable use of available land, water, marine ecosystems, fish stocks, forests, and biodiversity. Some 25% of all agricultural land is highly degraded. Critical water scarcity in agriculture is a fact for many countries. Several fish stocks are over-exploited or at risk. There is a growing consensus that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and climatic patterns are changing in many parts of the world.
Encouraging better agronomic practices, creating the right commercial, technical and regulatory environment, and strengthening agricultural innovation systems are essential policy challenges identified in this report.
Agricultural prices to remain on a higher plateau
While world prices for many agricultural crops are projected to remain high, they will nevertheless decline from 2011 levels in the near term as global production continues to respond to past high prices, stocks rebuild and demand initially grows less rapidly with weaker macroeconomic conditions. More...
World agricultural production to expand, but at a slower pace
Global agricultural output grew by 2.6% p.a. over the last decade, led by growth in Brazil, China, India and the Russian Federation. This Outlook anticipates a slowing of output growth to 1.7% p.a., which still outpaces population growth and with growth in output per person estimated at 0.7% p.a. More...
Agricultural productivity growth needs to increase in a sustainable manner
Much can be done that contributes to increasing productivity and improving sustainability of agriculture in a complementary fashion. However, the possible farm practices to undertake generally involve a long lead time before realising the benefits, suggesting that actions are needed now. More...
Biofuel mandates in the United States to encourage trade?
There are many uncertainties concerning the future of biofuel policies. An important one concerns the policy options faced by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the implementation of the US biofuel policy. The Outlook report provides a scenario analysis of three alternative policy implementation options that take into account the fact that the cellulosic mandate as defined in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) will not be met. More...
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OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2012-2021 - how to access the publicationThis report assesses agricultural market trends and prospects for production, consumption, trade, stocks and prices of featured commodities, including biofuels.
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