Global food security improves in 2014, according to index

Food security improved for 70 percent of countries in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Food Security Index in 2014, according to the index’s 2014 overview. The average country score rose by more than one point on the index.

Fifteen countries increased their score by three points or more due to increased food affordability and availability, and improvements in the political environment. Uganda was the biggest mover up 5.8 points on 2013 levels.

“These mostly low-income nations also reported reasonable economic growth, which gave them the means to adapt to a wide range of food security challenges,” reads the website. “Many poorer countries were also helped by a 2 percent decline in wheat prices in 2013 and a 14 percent drop in the price of rice.”

It wasn’t the same positive tale for 28 countries which experienced declines in food security. The average fall was just 1.1 points, although Myanmar fell four points, Madagascar 3.1 points, Romania 3 points, Egypt 2.9 points and Tunisia 2.9 points.

“While Central & South America did not perform particularly well in most indicators, it recorded the best regional score for agricultural import tariffs and nutritional standards, and the second-highest score for volatility of agricultural production,” continues the report.