Ships that feed the world

Ships have been described as the great "enablers" of international trade and now here is this better illustrated than with the grain trades, which link the places on earth where the climate facilitates efficient grain production, with the populations which wish to eat this product. And because grain tends to be mostly grown where populations are sparse, the element of transport is essential if the product is to acquire value in a world governed by supply and demand.

But sea transport also enables man to overcome the constraints of the seasons, as modern and efficient ships are able to transport produce to those countries which, were it not for this ability to import seasonal foodstuffs, would have to store their food, as they did before modern sea transport was available.

There is thus a seasonal pattern to worldwide food distribution, while the flow can be adjusted to cope with the problems of poor harvests caused by drought and other difficulties.

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http://www.eshippingtoday.com/ST/ST/2008/12/01/index.shtml