Challenges to global food security: A policy approach to the 2021–2022 food crisis
Stephen K. Wegren
Abstract
Abstract Food crises represent a challenge to global food security because of their recurrence and severity. The world is experiencing its third food crisis in the past 15 years. The 2021–2022 crisis affects more people than the previous two crises in 2007–2008 and 2011–2012. Previous food crises share the common characteristic of bad state actor behavior. In each case, several states enacted trade restrictions or even outright export bans on grain and other food. The impact was to decrease global supplies, put upward pressure on global prices, and worsen the food crisis. Food crises cannot be prevented, but they can be managed better. To deal with future food crises, the paper proposes an international agreement whereby grain exporting nations would not be allowed to enact export bans or to restrict the volume of grain exports.