The globalization of food production has a long history dating back to European colonialism in the 17th century. Today, supermarkets showcase produce from around the world due to improvements in transportation technology and reductions in trade barriers and tariffs. However, globalized food systems also contribute to ongoing issues of malnutrition and poverty in developing countries by prioritizing export crops over domestic food production and trapping poor farmers in systems of dependence.

1. The politics of global food production is not a new theme. During the 17 th century the European North created a colonial system based on plantation agriculture in the South. The colonies that lacked mineral wealth were settled by farmers who could extract wealth by exploiting the fertile soils and the tropical or subtropical species that could not be grown in Europe.

3. These processes need the consent of governments (even if reluctantly given) and hence the central role of politics in driving the globalisation of food production. At the heart of this debate lies a paradox. Food is not in short supply. Food products have never been so plentiful. Globally we produce enough to feed each human 3500 calories a day. However, about 30 million people die each year of undernourishment or related diseases. Every year a further 800 million people suffer debilitating illnesses resulting from chronic malnutrition. And some of these people live in the very countries that are increasingly committed to exporting food products to stock the supermarket shelves in the richer MEDCs.