Prices of internationally traded food have dropped 12 percent since their historical peak in August of 2012, the latest Food Price Watch reports. Still, some countries are using ill-advised subsidies to try to lower costs for consumers. Increased production, declining imports and increasing stocks are exerting downward pressure on export prices, but international prices remain tight for maize. Prices remain high and with recent price increases in May and June, uncertainties surrounding unstable weather conditions and domestic policy decisions among key food producers warrant close scrutiny.

Why are food prices declining, yet still remain high?

Join the conversation with World Bank Senior Economist José Cuesta as he takes your questions and discusses the latest issue of Food Price Watch and the impact of high food prices.

Food Price Watch, produced by the Poverty Reduction and Equity group at the World Bank, is a series that aims at drawing attention to trends in domestic food prices in low- and middle-income countries and their policy implications.