MANILA, Philippines - Philippine activists warn about possible riots. Aid agencies across Asia worry how they will feed the hungry. Governments dig deeper every day to fund subsidies.
A sharp rise in the price of rice is hitting consumer pocketbooks and raising fears of public turmoil in the many parts of Asia where rice is a staple.
Part of a surge in global food costs, rice prices on world markets have jumped 50 percent in the past two months and at least doubled since 2004. Experts blame rising fuel and fertilizer expenses as well as crops curtailed by disease, pests and climate change. There are concerns prices could rise a further 40 percent in coming months.
The higher prices have already sparked protests in the Philippines, where a government official has asked the public to save leftover rice. In Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered a ban on rice exports Wednesday to curb rising prices at home. Vietnamese exporters and farmers are stockpiling rice in expectation of further price increases.
Prestoline Suyat of the May One Labor Movement, a left-wing workers group, warned that "hunger and poverty may eventually lead to riots."
The current situation in Asia is a dangerous and volitale one. With rising gasoline prices and the falling U.S. dollar (which directly affects various Asian currencies), the over priced rice is greatly affecting the Asian area. Rice cash crop countries are put under heavy stress because disease and overall rising global prices have crippled there normal supply of rice. Because rice is the main food in Asia, many are starving and threatening to riot. The demand for rice has remained the same but the sharp decrease in supply has left Asia in a deadly shortage.
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