Africa Better Prepared for Jump in Food Costs, World Bank Says

Africa’s increased investment in agriculture over the past few years has left it in a better position to weather the jump in global good prices in 2010, the World Bank’s African vice president said.

Global food costs rose to a record in December on higher sugar, grain and oilseed prices, the United Nations said on Jan. 5, exceeding levels reached in 2008 that sparked riots in African nations including Somalia, Burkina Faso and Cameroon.