Foodsecurity and price volatility: a discussion from the Foodsecure Project

Abstract

This paper presents the relationship between food security and price volatility, based on the discussions and publications by the international research consortium Foodsecure, a project sponsored by the European Commission. This subject arose as a consequence of the recent 2008-2009 and 2011 crisis and the concern of its impacts on world food security. The objective of this paper is to present the definitions and relationship between food security and price volatility as well as alternatives, which have been proposed by researchers in the area, to prevent price volatility and to harm poorer consumers. Brazil is a major food producer and can be affected, either positively or negatively, by these actions. Therefore, it is important to follow the main aspects of these discussions as well as to have a position in order to participate and to contribute in the international discussion forums.