Abstract
In recent years, bio-ethanol derived from edible crops has been proceeding as alternative fuel for motor vehicles to mitigate climate change and improve self sufficiency ratio for energy. On the other hand, food demand in developing countries has been increasing because of population explosion, and a conflict between food and bio-fuel production becomes manifest. In this study, the global food supply-demand structure and change of land use to increase food production were analyzed considering economic growth, population growth, and increase of the demand for bio-ethanol. Our analysis indicated that the edible crop demand for food and feed would have the bigger impact on food affordability than that for bio-ethanol in the future. Furthermore, it was estimated that approximately 11-15% expansion in arable land between 2005 and 2050 should be necessary to meet the future demand for edible crops although the current arable land should be able to provide required edible crops until around 2015-2020.
