Dupont Leading the way on Addressing Global Hunger

Jul 10, 2012

Dupont Developing Common Food Security Metrics

By Joe Dales, Farms.com

A new initiative that is designed to ensure that countries have an adequate supply of safe, nutritious and affordable food was announced today. Billions of dollars are invested every year into food security, but until now there was no forum to measure the impact policies had from a local to global perspective.

The Global Food Security Index addresses some of the issues that cause food insecurity in 105 countries as well as provides insight into how hunger can be eliminated. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EUI) created the Index along with assistance from leading international experts in order to help feed the global growing population and increase collaboration between governments, NGOs and farmer organizations. The Global Food Security Index includes tools for analysis of food accessibility, affordability, availability, nutrition and safety.

DuPont commissioned the Global Food Security Index, and DuPont Chair and CEO, Ellen Kullman said, “We’ve come to realize that we share a common goal of food security. To truly address the root cause of hunger, we must have a common path forward to tackle such pressing issues as food affordability availability, nutritional quality and safety.” “My hope is the Global Food Security Index will be used to promote collaboration, make better informed decisions and stimulate action necessary to feed our growing population.” “To ensure that efforts are laser-focused to deliver real solutions, we needed a tool to inform decision making and facilitate a common language.”

There are food security forums being held around the world with public and private sector leaders. To learn more about this new initiative, visit http://foodsecurity.dupont.com/.

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.