Global Food Requirements to Double in 50 Years

August 1, 2006 — 

According to Alex Avery, Director of research and education for the Hudson Institute's Center for Global Food Issues, global food demand will double, if not triple, in the next fifty years.

He estimates the global population to increase to 8.5 - 9.5 billion by 2050. Most of this growth will be in Asia and India. In addition to increasing population, increased affluence across the world will stimulate dietary changes and improvements. Avery indicates that, "food is the first change people make as their income rises, allowing them to diversify the grains and oils they consume and add more meat, milk and eggs."

While much of the population growth is expected to occur in the Far East, the U.S. and South America have more available arable land. This will promote additional export opportunities for U.S. agricultural products.

According to their website, the Hudson Institute's Center for Global Food Issues, headquartered in Churchville, Virginia, conducts research and analysis of agriculture and the environmental concerns surrounding food and fiber production. The Center uses its worldwide overview of food and farming to assess policies, improve farmers' understanding of the new globalized farm economy, and heighten awareness of the environmental impacts of various farming systems and food policies.

The Center's main goals are to:

• promote free trade in agricultural products for both economic efficiency and environmental conservation;
• combat efforts to limit technological innovation in agriculture, the foundation for continued agricultural sustainability; and
• heighten awareness of the connection between agricultural productivity and environmental conservation.

Source:
USAgNet, August 1, 2006