Journalists interested in following food prices and markets in some the world's poorest and most vulnerable countries can now access a new pricing tracker system, run by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), a USAID-funded activity. In addition to English, the tracker is available in Spanish, French and Portuguese.

Users to the tool can search by food type and country or region, and compare the latest prices and availability with those of earlier years.

Maps also show which parts of a country or region have shortages or surpluses, and how the commodity is traded in the country.

Reports and studies and links to external resources are also available.

To access the tool, go to http://www.fews.net/Pages/markettrade.aspx?loc=3&l=en.