Price increases of basic commodities/Food

**Tuhafeni** · 16th April 2008, 11:01 AM

It is a daily news now and observations that prises of basic commodities and food in particular are increasing almost every month. My concern this issue is not only affecting Namibia alone and it seems to be an international problem which come as result of high prise of crude oil/fuel and the weakening of US dollar.

Moreover, its being fore casted that more prises increases should be expected before the end of this year. Now my question is, as Namibians and Africans in particular, what do you think would be a solution to this crisis and should be there some alternatives to the problem, what are they and how should be implemented in Namibia and Africa as whole? Myself, I have little knowledge in economy and I think economist and political analyst can help us here.

**Oneword** · 16th April 2008, 11:28 AM

Tuhafeni,

I am not an economist or political analyst, but two principles govern these phenomena:

1.) A free-market economy (and concommittantly)

2.) supply and demand

There may be more ... and better explanations, but this is it in a nutshell.

**Pietro** · 16th April 2008, 06:22 PM

At least there is still someone who will "supply" in Nam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Comrade007** · 17th April 2008, 01:07 PM

Part of the problem - I believe - is that farmers get paid better crops that can be converted to biofuels, which are all the rage at the moment. Food prices are shooting up all over the world as a result of this, as well as freak weather and the higher oil price as well as the lack of credit on the international capital markets.

I think that the moral priority should always be to feed populations first, not fuel engines. Of course we are affected more than people in many other countries because - by comparison - we have much less buying power and inflatino is also higher here.

More reason to put measures in place to ensure that people in the lower income groups can kerep affording the basic foodstuffs.

More here: http://www.theshebeen.org/food-secur...html#post15754

**juikk** · 17th April 2008, 01:11 PM

Some would argue that in order to feed the population, it is imperative to fuel the engines....jux saying

**Oneword** · 17th April 2008, 01:34 PM

Yes, but not those who will contribute to the environmental catastrophe. Especially certain gases contribute heavily towards global warming ......................................

**Comrade007** · 22nd April 2008, 09:25 PM

Came across this other interesting article right here in our Shebeen:

The sharp increase in food prices over the past couple of years has raised serious concerns about the food and nutrition situation of poor people in developing countries, about inflation, and—in some countries—about civil unrest.

http://www.theshebeen.org/food-secur...html#post16749