Biofuels boom and world food shortages

In the face of high oil prices while reserves are limited, biofuels emerge as an ideal alternative energy source, while meeting environmental protection goals. Meanwhile, the use of crops as biofuel feedstock could bring hope to " change life " for farmers in developing countries. However, experts warn that the explosion of biofuel use in many countries around the world can affect food prices, making famine in poorer countries worse.

Although the biofuels boom has only just begun, its impact has already surfaced in some countries, first pushing up the price of some staple foods. For example, in Mexico last January, tens of thousands of people took to the streets protesting because the price of corn cake (staple food) tripled, to 15 pesos (1.36 USD) / kg. The reason is that the demand for ethanol fuel in the world increases, pushing the price of corn in this country to the highest level in 10 years.

Meanwhile in the United States, rising energy prices plus the government's incentive to fuel fuel crops make farmers think of growing ethanol-producing raw materials like corn, sugarcane, and oilseed crops. peanuts . will benefit more than growing food crops.

Corn is the main source of biofuel production.(Photo: okfarmbureau.org)

According to experts from the World Bank (WB), once the price of major foods increases, the number of undernourished people in the world in 2025 is estimated to increase to 1.2 billion people, double the previous forecast. there. Many surveys show that the fuel consumption level in poor countries decreases by 0.5% when food price increases by 1% on average. Experts also forecast that corn prices - the main raw material for biofuel production - will increase to 20% by 2010 and 41% by 2020. In addition, food processing companies will have to buy raw materials such as beans. Lan, sweet corn . at a higher price to ensure uninterrupted supply. After all, consumers are still subject to the price of ' team up '.

Experts say governments should stop encouraging the production of ethanol until this renewable fuel can be prepared from sources other than corn or soybeans. According to British food aid expert Edward Clay, the big problem now is whether biofuels can push food prices higher and put us in a new era where the poor are more difficult. live more? Although the current status of price fluctuation is only temporary, he said that it is difficult for food prices to fall back to the level before the biofuels boom period.

THANH TRUC