Global production of biofuels has grown substantially in the last ten years, primarily due to renewable energy mandates and other government policies. Between 2005 and 2007, when oil prices were rising and global food prices began to increase rapidly, the use of cereals (wheat and coarse grains) for biofuels production grew by 80%. The absolute increase (41 Mt) during that period accounted for about 50% of the overall increase of cereals use (81 Mt).