CHINA
The roaring economy and an ever expanding middle class have had a particularly profound effect on food prices, particularly rice and wheat. Because of industrialisation, rice planting fell from 33 million hectares in 1983 to 29 million by 2006 and China now imports more than ever, placing a major strain on international supplies. Despite freezing prices, rampant inflation means the cost of food has risen by 21 per cent this year.
USA
In a land where supposedly the rich are thin and the poor are overweight, one of the largest cash and carry stores, Sam's Club, announced this week it would limit customers to take home a maximum of four bags of rice. The move came a day after Costco Wholesale Corp, the biggest US warehouse-club operator, limited bulk rice purchases in some stores and warned that customers had begun stockpiling certain goods.
More about NORTH KOREA, EGYPT, VENEZUELA, BRAZIL, IVORY COAST, AFGHANISTAN, THAILAND, EAST AFRICA, INDIA, HAITI, THE PHILIPPINES and EUROPE on The Independent website
More about the Food Crisis
"Soaring prices are causing hunger around the world."