logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2022
27m 31s

Can farmers influence food prices?

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Global food prices reached record highs this year due to a combination of factors including the war in Ukraine, rising energy prices and poor harvests. Prices are now falling, but remain higher than last year.

In this programme Ruth Alexander talks to three farmers on three different continents, to discuss if they’re profiting from these higher prices, the impact of higher costs, and whether farmers ultimately have any influence over the price we pay in the shops.

Ruth is joined by Anne Gitau, a poultry farmer in Nairobi Kenya; John Kelly, a dairy farmer in Country Wicklow Ireland; and Bob Lowe, a beef and barley farmer in Alberta, Canada. The BBC’s Global Trade Correspondent Dharshini David joins the discussion to explain what is happening in global feed and fertiliser markets.

Presented by Ruth Alexander.

Produced by Beatrice Pickup.

(Image: trays of meat on a butcher’s counter with prices. Credit: Getty/BBC)

Up next
Mar 12
Giving it all up for food
Ruth Alexander meets three people who gave up well-paid, high-flying careers to start all over again in the world of food. Nisha Katona left a career as a child protection barrister behind to start Mowgli, a chain of Indian restaurants in the UK, physically building her first res ... Show More
26m 29s
Mar 5
The story of the sandwich
Shattering the myth of its aristocratic origins and exploring some of the boldest creations; Ruth Alexander finds out about the history, culture and family ties wrapped up in the sandwich. Josh Veasey, co-owner of Rack in North West England talks about his menu’s hits and misses ... Show More
26m 29s
Feb 26
Small kitchens
From Michelin starred kitchens to Hong Kong’s high rise tower blocks, via informal settlements in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. Ruth Alexander hears from people making the best out of the cramped and tiny spaces they’re cooking in. Gina Lai shows her around the kitchen in her cramp ... Show More
26m 29s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2022
The cost of growing food
Global fertiliser prices are reaching record highs, as supplies from Russia, one of the world’s largest exporters dry up. As the war in Ukraine intensifies there are warnings of food shortages as farmers struggle to get hold of fertilisers and starting to rationing its use. Soybe ... Show More
17m 29s
Jun 2022
Cost of living: Farmers and food producers
In this Business Daily mini series we're exploring how businesses we all use regularly are being affected by the cost of living crisis. Leanna Byrne goes from farm to fork, first speaking to farmers in Malawi and Canada about the rising costs of growing crops and rearing dairy co ... Show More
18m 42s
Aug 2022
Women growing grain
<p>Most of us rely on farmers to produce our food and rising costs for farmers are leading to spiralling food prices. It's in part down to huge increases in the cost of fuel and fertiliser, shortages of labour and the pressures of a changing climate. Kim Chakanetsa talks to two w ... Show More
27m 26s
Mar 2023
UBS On-Air: Paul Donovan Daily Audio 'Profit-led price increases'
The UK British Retail Consortium&#39;s shop price index rose on food prices. The accompanying commentary was textbook for profit-led inflation. Poor harvests and sugar prices were blamed. When profits (rather than demand) lead inflation, retailers need to have a story that convin ... Show More
4m 29s
Sep 2023
Surviving or Thriving? Farms
<p>Rising costs are having an impact on almost everyone, but that impact is very different for different sections of the economy. Rising food production costs are pushing up everyone’s grocery bills, and squeezing farmers’ profit margins. How are farms adapting to survive difficu ... Show More
28m 38s
Jun 2022
Cost of living: Bakeries
In this Business Daily mini series we're exploring how businesses we all use regularly are being affected by the cost of living crisis. This episode looks at how bakers are coping as the price of grain, dairy and the power needed to heat their ovens, all continue to increase. Lea ... Show More
17m 48s
May 2024
Faultlines: Can British farming survive?
Across the UK anger is brewing among farmers.  <br /><br />Protests have already been held in London, Dover and Wales, with more on the way - mirroring similar tensions seen across Europe in the last six months.     <br /><br />Their anger is focused on cheap foreign imports and ... Show More
20m 57s