Against the Grain
International rice and wheat prices have doubled or tripled in the last two years, but world grain production will reach a record high this year. So how come millions are falling into poverty and starting food riots across the world? The answer lies not in any outsized surge in world demand or fall in world supply, but in the fact that several countries have imposed duties, quotas and outright bans on agricultural exports. This has reduced the amount of grain available for world trade.
To protect domestic consumers from rising world prices, dozens of governments have curbed the export of rice and wheat -- principally Argentina, Brazil, Russia, China, India, Ukraine, Vietnam, Cambodia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Indonesia.
[Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar, The American Spectator]
(HT: Sine Metu)
To protect domestic consumers from rising world prices, dozens of governments have curbed the export of rice and wheat -- principally Argentina, Brazil, Russia, China, India, Ukraine, Vietnam, Cambodia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Indonesia.
[Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar, The American Spectator]
(HT: Sine Metu)