The the total output of grains has been decreasing for the last couple of decades, not due to climate (which has been stable throughout the grain growing regions).. but because the WTO has undermined the agriculture of the developing world. The graineries of the world, which also feed the livestock of the world.. are in the clutches of global investment organism that knows scarcity produces profit. The run up of prices has everything to do with a huge pool of speculative capital that moves seamlessly around the world to predate on scarce resources. In that way the runup of oil and grain prices are related. The do not indicate an inability to meet demand at a reasonable price.. they reflect a rigged, speculative market looking for supercharged returns by imposing artificial curbs on production. It cares nothing of the hardship and starvation it produces.. it's simple rationale is that what is good for the free market, and the utterly amoral and money besotted trading industry.. must be good for all.