Downturn poses new food fears, FAO warns

Although the FAO said food supply would not be a problem next year thanks to a satisfactory level of food production, the problem is access. Poor people don't have the purchasing power to buy food in the market.

Earlier this year when the prices of food shot up to a record high, some Asean countries witnessed problems from possible food shortages. The Philippines for instance saw people take to the streets to voice their anger over rising food prices. Some countries like Vietnam limited the export of rice.

At present, the concerns over food insecurity have eased thanks to falling global commodity prices. However, concerns remain that the global financial crisis would pose new problems for people, especially workers who might lose their jobs to the global recession.

Prospects are not good for these people, as some companies have recently disclosed plans to cut employment because they could not bear the losses.

Therefore, Asean governments should seriously discuss the problem during the upcoming summit to find a way for people to get access to food at reasonable prices. After all, many Asean countries are food-exporting nations, and it would be a shame for the region to face such a problem.