The fear that increasing wheat prices globally could threaten food security has caused concern among global leaders. “What is surprising is how fast the price rose within four days of Russia announcing its export ban, prices increased by almost 80 per cent before dropping back a little. There is still about a billion people in the world who are hungry and anytime you have this sharp rises in prices it affects many of them,” World Bank Managing Director, Ngozi Okonjo Iweala said in reference to the recent price increase in wheat. However, Esoko market watchers have reported that market trading in the commodity in the country has been normal over the past few weeks, with no significant shift in demand and supply conditions impacting on price. Monitored market positions shows that the highest price for the commodity per kilo at the retail level was in the Hohoe market where it ended the week to August 13 at GH¢3.70. Tamale also recorded a significant price of GH¢3.56 per kilo in the week. But the lowest price was recorded in the Takoradi market where it closed the week at GH¢1.20 a kilo at the retail level. Bawku also had a significantly low price of GH¢1.39 per kilo. The price pattern at the wholesale market trading level was similar to the way it traded at the retail level. Even though the impact of the price increase is yet to be felt, Iweala however believes it is just a matter of time before Africa begins to feel it. Generally, Esoko market watchers are bullish that supply and demand conditions in the country point to stable market for wheat in the coming months. There are no expected supply and demand shifts that could cause serious market price instability. Other commodities that registered significant price changes in the week to August 13 are maize and tomatoes. After registering almost 70 percent price increase some few weeks back, the price of tomatoes has dropped significantly. It continued the downward trend in the week, registering a price drop of 42 and 43 percent respectively in wholesale and retail trading in the Agbogbloshie market. In retail trading, a kilo of tomatoes sold for GH¢0.80 and GH¢0.70 in wholesale trading. In the Kumasi Central Market, the drop in tomato prices was similar to that of the Agbogbloshie market. The Esoko Ghana Commodity Index- Retail (EGCI-R) closed the week at 4015.22 points whereas the Esoko Ghana Commodity Index-Wholesale (EGCI-W) closed the week at 1964.12 points. Esoko monitors cash market prices for selected commodities and markets across the country. Source: Esoko