Urgent Food Supply Update
Steve Shenk
Riots, Strikes & Protests - The Great Global Grain Wars
The Sovereign Society Offshore - A LetterApril 5, 2008
By Erika Nolan, Executive Director
In the past year, riots broke out in 12 different countries. We've also seen street protests in Jakarta. Strikes in Italy. Unprecedented government controls in 20 different countries.
And over what? Oppressive government? Long work hours? Inequality?
No. It's much more basic than that. They're rioting and protesting because they can no longer afford to eat with these skyrocketing food costs.
And it's no wonder. In the last six months alone, the basics people live on have surged dramatically in price. Corn prices have jumped 51%. Barley has soared 38%. Oats, 53%. Wheat, 56%. And rice - the mainstay of diets in emerging countries home to over 3 billion - shot up a devastating 67%!
You may not have heard the hungry protesters or seen the riots - yet - but I'm guessing you've felt this uncomfortable inflationary squeeze in your grocery bills.
Here in the U.S., you now have to fork over another 32% more for a loaf of bread than you did just three years ago. A carton of eggs costs you 50% more since this time last year. And overall your food bills have climbed 5% since 2007, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.