Food shortages loom as wheat crop shrinks and prices rise

[Ikutiera]

Food shortages loom as wheat crop shrinks and prices rise

THE world is only ten weeks away from running out of wheat supplies after stocks fell to their lowest levels for 50 years.
The crisis has pushed prices to an all-time high and could lead to further hikes in the price of bread, beer, biscuits and other basic foods.
It could also exacerbate serious food shortages in developing countries especially in Africa.

Food shortages loom as wheat crop shrinks and prices rise - Times Online

[meadhbh]

I was thinking about third world countries as well. They won't have the money if the prices go up to high. But they won't have the stock piles for use that some countries have.

[Susi]

The problem is that these countries have been given handout after handout from more wealthy states, so they had no motiviation to fully develop and exploit their arable land.

I can say that I did see this coming. Cities and suburbs are (at least here, in America, and in the UK) encroaching upon traditional rural farmlands and reducing the food supply. The problem, I've always said, is that people in cities have no idea where their food comes from. It's incredibly abstract. To them food is just something to find on the shop shelves. Maybe it does come from the ground or an animal but they have no real idea of the process or how the supply works. They regard it as unlimited because the shelves are always stocked.

Perhaps if there is such a shortage they will understand better the situation of farmers.