During the 1970s the world economy suffered two price shocks. From 1972 through 1974 the prices of primary commodities--in particular grains and petroleum--rose to unprecedented levels in world markets. After 1974 many of these prices fell, but again in 1979 world oil prices doubled and the prices of other basic commodities increased rapidly. What were the causes and consequences of these large price fluctuations? Were they the main reason for the worsening of inflation during the 1970s? And what can be done to restrain their influence on inflation in the future?