Moreover, the damaging consequences for sustainable development and food security have become apparent, with renewed attention after food prices rose sharply from late 2007, before declining after early 2008. However, many food importing African countries may be worse off without subsidized food imports while only a few African economies are in a position to significantly increase their output and exports in the short term. African agricultural production and export capacities have already been undermined by the last three decades of low investment and neglect.