When prices fall, producers in developed countries often have access to various support schemes and credit markets, while producers in developing countries may face large income fluctuations, often for commodities for which they are highly dependent for their incomes. Moreover, high volatility - an unexpected large rise and fall in prices - imposes large costs throughout the food chain, as uncertainty hinders investments and sectoral development. Governments, who are concerned that price volatility may be increasing, or if not increasing, remaining at unacceptably high levels, are looking for the means to prevent or minimise high price volatility and its harmful effects on their populations.