Fueling the food crisis: the cost to Developing Countries of US corn ethanol expansion
New research provides the latest numbers behind ethanol’s toll on global food prices—$11.6 billion in higher prices for corn importing countries over a period of six years. More than half, $6.6 billion, of that was borne by developing nations, where a high percentage of household income is spent on food. The report, Fueling the Food Crisis: The Cost to Developing Countries of U.S. Corn Ethanol Expansion, was issued by anti-poverty group ActionAid USA, based on work by researchers at Tufts University. The study found the corn-importing countries of Central America and North Africa to be at the highest risk from ethanol expansion in the US. The US drought has diminished corn supplies, re-igniting the debate over how much corn should go to fuel for cars in light of spiking global food prices.