WORLD GRAINS PRODUCTION BALANCE SHEET 3: Land devoted to Wheat, Corn, Rice

Experts predict a food crisis in the near term. In developed economies, it is still just a more than usual increase in food prices. There are shortages in some countries. In others, there are food riots.

What are the LIABILITIES in the Balance Sheet of World Grains Production that has led to this situation?

Overall, there have been no increases in agricultural lands to keep pace with population growth and its impact on demand for food.

More land is being devoted to meat & dairy products as a result of the growing demand from emerging economies with higher personal disposable incomes & purchasing power. Meat (especially beef) & dairy products require huge tracts of land. Studies show that, in terms of land use, land producing 7 pounds of grain will only produce 1 pound of beef.

Data from Philippine Daily Inquirer:  “Tensions Rise as World Faces Food Crisis” (1 April) &

“Hungry Crowds Spell Trouble for World Leaders” (2 April)

graphics by Ren Garcia