The Stream, August 13: Expected Crop Yields Plummet While Prices Climb

Food prices
This summer’s drought in the United States will cause corn yields to drop 17 percent compared to 2011, according to a new report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Consequently, the USDA expects corn prices to rise 39 percent to $8.90 per bushel. Soybean supplies and prices will face similar consequences, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Drought in Somalia is driving up food prices and threatening the country with famine. Meanwhile, Somalians fleeing to Kenya in search of resources are facing severe water shortages in refugee camps.

El Niño is almost certain to occur over the next two months, bringing drought to Australia and East Asia, and destroying crops and inflating prices, according to the U.S. Climate Prediction Center. Heavy rainfall, however, could increase crop yields in South America, AlertNet reported.

Eastern Europe Water Infrastructure
Ukraine’s government has approved a new plan to implement modernized water purification technologies despite the shortage of funding for the country’s Drinking Water Program, OOSKAnews reported.

The European Investment Bank will give Armenia a $7.98 million loan to fund water and sanitation projects. The results are expected to improve the living conditions of 300,000 people, according to Euroalert.net.

Melting Down, Drying Up
Watch this brief time-lapse video of Arctic ice melting.

A steamboat in the Mississippi River has been unable to complete its voyage due to low water levels, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported.

The Stream is a daily digest spotting global water trends. To get more water news, follow Circle of Blue on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter.