How do you make economics funny? How do you put the comedy in commodity? Simon Evans has the answer in this new series which asks us to get involved in investment.

Rather than being cowed by an apparently complicated and overwhelming system, Simon jumps right in. He takes as his focus four commodities which are so intrinsic to our lives they have an almost elemental significance - land, gold, oil and grain. Yet, despite the fact we encounter them everywhere we look, very few people have been able to build a fortune on them.
All that's about to change as, Simon enlists help from the experts. Each week he will be joined by Tim Harford, Merryn Somerset Webb and a guest specialist as they examine the chequered social and economic histories of these commodities. By looking at four such fundamental products, Simon brings us to a closer understanding of how global economic forces have a far-reaching and often surprising impact on our lives.
In this episode, Simon looks at commodities markets in grain. How moral is it to trade in food? how much of it is animal feed and what is the future of food?

Performed by ..... Simon Evans, with regular guests Tim Harford and Merryn Somerset-Webb, and to talk about grain markets, Kanes Rajah and Jim Rogers.
Written by ..... Simon Evans with Benjamin Partridge and Andy Wolton
Producer ..... Tilusha Ghelani.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014. Show less