WORLD GRAINS PRODUCTION BALANCE SHEET 6: Can the balance be sustained?

While Adam Smith introduced the invisible hand to economics, Thomas Malthus caused economics to be called the dismal science. Malthus observed that population was growing at a rate several times faster than food production, eventually leading to starvation and wars.

The World Grains Production Balance Sheet shows that there might be some truth in Malthus’ prediction:

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.

Can the balance be sustained?

Balance Sheet graphics by Ren Garcia / images from Microsoft Clipart