Are we near a food crisis?

The Financial Times has reported on worries of an impending food crisis after the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicted that the country’s stocks of corn would halve to their lowest levels in 14 years.

Looking at the price increases, there seems to be cause for concern indeed. Data shows that in USD terms, year-on-year prices have increased as follows:

• Beef - 23%
• Pork - 68%
• Sugar - 24%
• Coffee - 45%
• Barley - 32%
• Oranges - 35%

Given that money in the bank is earning almost 0% interest, it does appear to me that 'investing' in a store of food at home is likely more profitable, given the rates of food price inflation.