Growing Biofuel Production in the Context of Food Security

The article explores the relationship between biofuel production and food security in the face of rising food prices and the energy crisis. The problem of competition between the production of biofuels and food security is due to the fact that for the production of bioethanol and biodiesel, mainly fodder and food crops are used. In addition, competition for agricultural resources between biomass or food uses means competition for land and water, fertilizers, pesticides, agricultural machinery, labor, and capital. The rise in biofuel production is causing food and fuel markets to become so closely linked that a sustained increase in demand for biofuels not only has a marked impact on food crop prices but may cause shortages in some food types. A key role in the development of the biofuel industry is played by government policies that have been developed without considering how biofuel production will affect food security. The competition between food security and energy security goals, as well as the price competition between biofuels and traditional energy sources, has become a key issue on the political agenda of many countries. With rising food prices in 2021–2022, a number of countries are re-examining the impact of biofuel production from agricultural crops on energy and food security and making adjustments to biofuel policy.