Sunday, April 20, 2008

No Red Rice at Vegas Baby

Global food crisis looms as Asia's rice bowl empties and world price soars

THE crisis over rice showed no signs of easing yesterday as the price of the world's benchmark jumped 10 per cent in just one week, fanning fears that millions across Asia will struggle to afford their staple food.

In a clear sign of the strain on output after major exporters began to curb exports earlier this year, a tender from the Philippines, the world's top importer, attracted offers to sell only about two-thirds of the half a million tonnes it sought.

In Bangkok, Thai 100 per cent B grade white rice, considered the world's benchmark, hit $950 (£482) per tonne, three times its price at the start of 2007.

"There's been a popular misconception that the world can produce as much food as it likes. Well, it obviously can't. And Asia can't feed itself at the moment," Gerry Lawson, the chairman of Sunrice, a major Australian rice producer, said. continue...

10 comments:

mat said...

Well they can just starve. We have all kinds of rice here and achote too. There will be red rice in Vegas Baby! Boo Yah!

Ric Larson said...

With out Red Rice? Then, then what, what is the meaning of it all.....?????

Joanna said...

I agree with Mat and Ric.

Doug said...

I suppose it would be callous and inappropriate to advise our Asian brethren to "eat cake".

DRL said...

Look at the surplus's in America. Our Goverment pays Farmers not to plant, and buys surplus from the farmers that sit in storage for years. It is like what was said earlier, in a Post, if countries like Mexico, Russia and others such as China could plant enough food to supply every one in the world with plenty to spare. Other governments play with food supply inorder to control thier populis into submitions.

rac said...

True that, DRL. Never to miss an opportunity for a good conspiracy theory, I would have to say the current food crises has definitely been engineered.

rac said...

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Many parts of America, long considered the breadbasket of the world, are now confronting a once unthinkable phenomenon: food rationing. (more)

tophersguam said...

Hafa adai from Chris guess what I know where to get the red rice in vegas we could order or I could make the red rice for us

Joanna said...

It is worldwide.:(

DRL said...

Chris, hey, all the help is welcome. Get with Matt, he is head
"Dean's Circle Vegas Baby Fiesta" cooker guy. Bonita, Joanna and Kelly will help out as well. All the help is good. You know us form the Circle, We need lots of help. So if you have any Mental Health education, bring it too. ha