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For immediate release: January 29th 2015
RECORD CROP PRODUCTION AND FALLING OIL PRICES DRIVE INCREASED FOOD
AFFORDABILITY, GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY INDEX REVEALS
Economist Intelligence Unit Expects Prices for the Major Food Crops to Continue Falling in 2015
Results from the latest Global Food Security Index (GFSI) quarterly price adjustment update reveal that
food affordability improved in nearly 75% of countries in September through November 2014 largely
because of a 2.8% decline in global food prices, which have reached a four-year low. According to the
Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Food Security Index, which is sponsored by DuPont, all-time
high production levels of corn, wheat and soybeans and falling global oil prices have resulted in
improved food security outlooks for 79 of the 109 countries in the Index. However, the full impact of
cheaper oil on local consumer prices, political stability, and on the fiscal positions of oil exporters and
importers will only play out in the months to come.
“Supplies and stocks of the major grains are very strong, which will push global prices lower in 2015,”
said Leo Abruzzese, Global Forecasting Director for The Economist Intelligence Unit. “The 60% decline in
the price of crude oil since July also is good news for food security. During the last 25 years, food and
energy prices have tracked each other closely, so cheaper crude oil usually means more affordable
food.”
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Global Food Security Index: Price Adjustment Factor Key Findings
According to the FAO, global food prices have been falling since the end of August 2014, when they
reached the lowest level in four years. Prices continued to decline, reaching another new four-year low
in November. Overall, these price changes have had a positive impact on the affordability category of
the GFSI and overall food security for the countries in the Index.
The GFSI highlighted the following stories:

Food became more affordable in 79 of 109 countries as food prices declined by 2.8% in the period
from September to November 2014. GFSI Affordability scores improved by an average of 1.3%
between September and November, while overall food security scores rose by an average of 0.5%.
Israel had the largest decline in both categories (-6.31% and -2.70%, respectively), while Bostwana
had the greatest score increase. Despite significant score improvements, few countries experienced
changes in their overall GFSI rankings. Denmark and Australia, however, each rose four places in the
rankings, while Switzerland fell five places.

Global food prices fell across all commodities except cereals, with dairy and sugar experiencing the
most drastic declines, according to the FAO. The drop in dairy prices was partially driven by import
sanctions in Russia, which have depressed prices; when coupled with high production, this has
resulted in an excess global supply. Although overall cereals prices rose slightly in November after
reaching four-year lows in September and October, rising production and large stocks of corn,
soybeans and wheat have resulted in low prices globally.

Falling oil prices increased food affordability by lowering transportation costs. Increases in crude
oil supply, weakening demand, and Saudi Arabia’s hands-off approach to price declines have
resulted in plummeting oil prices, which will lower food transportation costs. Indeed, the FAO’s food
price index and the price of crude oil have a 0.92 correlation during the last 25 years. The secondary
impacts of falling oil prices on national economies have not been captured by the Index yet.
However, the effects on political stability, local food prices, incomes and exchange rates—all crucial
elements of food security—at the national and global levels will be captured in the longer term by
the GFSI.

Hungary and Botswana experienced the greatest rank improvements—a rise of six and five places,
respectively—in the food Affordability category since the last quarterly update in August.
Hungary’s rise was partially a result of falling fruit and vegetable prices driven by a good year for
crops and the price-dampening impact of Russia’s import embargo. A large decline in the price of
sugar was another driving factor. The weakening of the South African rand, which kept production
costs down in South Africa, and a continued decline in inflation was a major factor in the drop of
food price in Botswana, a net food importer.
Looking Ahead
The Economist Intelligence Unit expects prices for the major food crops to continue falling in 2015. The
average annual price for corn (US No.3 Yellow Corn fob Gulf ports) and soybeans (export price of US
No.2 Yellow Soybeans, fob Gulf ports) are both expected to fall by 10-15% this year from 2014. World
soybean production will reach an all-time high in 2014/15, and US production is set to dwarf the
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previous record by more than 16m tonnes. World corn output also is on track to break all previous
records, as will the US crop. Wheat prices (export price of US Hard Red Winter wheat; fob Gulf) also will
fall this year, but by a more modest 7%.
About the GFSI
The annual Global Food Security Index evaluates the affordability, availability, and quality and safety of food and food systems
across 109 countries. The GFSI also provides insight into the impact of global food price fluctuations on national food security
through quarterly adjustments to the affordability score. The adjustment is based, in part, on the quarter-on-quarter price
change in the Food and Agricultural Organisation’s (FAO) food commodity basket and its five key measures.
About the GFSI Quarterly Adjustment Factor
The quarterly affordability updates of the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) highlight the vulnerability of countries to food price
shocks, especially for those where populations already face undernourishment. Incorporating global data and information from
the FAO’s Food Price Index, the EIU’s quarterly update adjusts for global food price changes and for movements in exchange
rates, national incomes and import dependence on a country-by-country basis. This provides a top-level assessment of the
impact of price changes that might help or hurt a country’s food security.
To view the Global Food Security Index 2014 website with an interactive visualisation of the index results, the underlying excel
model and findings and methodology report for this study, visit: http://foodsecurityindex.eiu.com
About The Economist Intelligence Unit
The Economist Intelligence Unit is the world leader in global business intelligence. It is the business-to-business arm of The
Economist Group, which publishes The Economist newspaper. As the world's leading provider of country intelligence, The
Economist Intelligence Unit helps executives make better business decisions by providing timely, reliable and impartial analysis
on worldwide market trends and business strategies. More information about the Economist Intelligence Unit can be found at
www.eiu.com or follow us on www.twitter.com/theeiu.
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