The Impact of Speculation on Global Food Accessibility and Food Security

The global food price spikes of 2008 and 2011 resulted in tens of millions of people being pushed into poverty. The cause of these spikes is diverse, including short, medium and long-term factors. The extent each respectively contributed is a matter of on-going debate. This article will explore the role of speculation and futures markets as one of the causes of the global price spikes. This will be followed by an exploration of the understanding of risk, uncertainty and speculation in Islamic law, and how these elements should be curbed in order to prevent food price spikes.