This document discusses food and commodity price indices from 1980 to present. It shows that non-food commodity prices rose more than food prices during the 2008 crisis. Food price volatility differs from consumer food price inflation. Charts show price indices for staples in low-income countries increased during the 2007-2008 food crisis. The FAO global food price index reflects average internationally traded commodity prices, not local staple prices. Shipping costs can also be volatile. Sudden price increases can improve rural incomes but hurt urban poor, while sudden declines undermine food production investment. The role of bioenergy in food prices and whether biofuel policies could lead to more stable food prices is discussed.
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