Dan Saladino

As he sees it, China's economy boomed, its fuel imports from Gulf states increased, new levels of wealth were created there, and as a result, those Gulf states have gained greater influence over the food system.

And that vertical integration, all of it is based in some way on fossil fuels and that has wide reaching implications way beyond fertilizers.

And another factor, Adam, I don't think has been talked about much is the role the Gulf states play in the distribution of food.

Another factor, even less transparent, is what happens on financial markets.

In previous crises, speculators have seen opportunities and moved in.

Jennifer Clapp is a professor in global food security and sustainability at the University of Waterloo in Canada.

Commodity prices, including seed oils, meat, and to some extent grain, are increasing.

But so far, it hasn't been as dramatic as during the start of the war in Ukraine.

However, because of increasing energy costs and the concentration of fertilizer production Adam Hanier mentioned,

Volatility is on the rise.

Over to Beth Bechdoll, Deputy Director General of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization.

She spoke to me on a line from Rome.

Beth Bechdel on the global picture.

Here in the UK, the 40% increase in food prices since 2021 affects everyone, but not equally.

Simon Jack.

One of the organisations tracking food price inflation is the charity, the Food Foundation.

Their chief executive is Anna Taylor.

At the Coney Hill Food Hub, that's exactly how it looks to some of the people sitting down for lunch.

Coming here?

that they are just talking about, I'm just getting by, I'm surviving.