‘Food crisis’: world reaction

Readers from around the world have sent their reaction to the rise in global food prices. You can read a selection below.

…We are horrified at the huge raise in prices of many basic food stuffs in South Africa over the past 12 months… on items like milk and cheese and other dairy products. Bread, flour, eggs and maize meal – all staples of our diet – have gone up by 40 to 50%. Some items have doubled in cost. Where is it going to end?


Verna Mudie, Durban, South Africa


…I work for one of the largest grocery store chains in America and I can tell you that the food prices have been increasing since about August ‘07. Retail businesses mostly agree that it is due to the increases in diesel fuel over the last few years. But you never hear much about whether or not a diminishing food supply may be having much effect on prices. If there really is a food shortage coming up then prices will almost certainly double to sustain the demand for food.

Robert Ingram, Louisville, KY, USA

These BIOFUELS “crops” are a disgrace for HUMAN KIND – 30% of MAIZE production in USA for “fuel”? SHAME ON YOU! Feed the world’s hungry, please!

Catulo Perrucho, Toronto, Canada

BBC