World food security risks growing, Chatham

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    The world’s food security is increasingly reliant on 14 “chokepoints” for trade, a think-tank report has warned, BBC reports.

    UK-based Chatham House says more needs to be done to protect key transport routes such as the Panama Canal, the Suez Canal and the Turkish Straits.

    Almost 25% of the world’s food is traded on international markets.

    This, the report says, makes food supply and prices vulnerable to unforeseen crises or climate change.

    Infrastructure at the chokepoints is often old and would struggle to cope with natural disasters which are expected to grow in frequency as the planet warms, the report authors add.

    They urge governments to invest in “climate-resilient” infrastructure, and diversify food production and stocks.