There Is A World Shortage of Rice
You might have seen headlines about the shortage of rice, and wheat, and the prices rises that have followed this.
The Independent Bangladesh has a good article and you can read it here.
Lots of different factors are making the shortage worse than it could be.
Firstly, Thailand farmers and millers are holding back rice stocks waiting for the prices to go even higher.
Next, China and India have banned rice exports (except to a few specific countries) so that the crop is available to their own populations.
Prices have recently soared in Pakistan by 60% and in Singapore by between 30% and 40%.
Some of the rice price rises have been caused by concern over the low wheat yields that are expected in India and about worries with next Vietnam rice harvest.
Amongst the causes of the shortages is land being converted to produce biofuel instead of food.
The South Wales Echo has picked up on the link between rising rice prices and the cost of a curry at your favorite curry restaurant. Check out the full story here.
The Rice Association has also pointed out that the price of basmati rice has recently doubled.
The rice shortage, and rise in curry prices, has also been reported by the UK Metro newspaper. You can see the full story here.
Will these price increases stop you and me from eating our favorite meals? I doubt it. You’ve got to keep all of this in perspective – you can still buy a 32 oz bag of basmati rice for less than a six-pack of beer. A bargain.
