Food Crisis Looms for Latin America

Ashley Mosteller / March 09, 2011

Food prices are on the rise across the globe, fueling much of the political unrest that continues to rage in parts of the Middle East. Unexpectedly severe weather and soaring demand have pushed food prices to “dangerous levels and threaten tens of millions of poor people,” said World Bank President Robert Zoellick earlier this month. “Global food prices are approaching an all-time high,” agreed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in her testimony before the Senate last week.

If food shortages caused by the rise in prices continue, Latin America could see turmoil and unrest in the near term.

Costs of basic food staples such as sugar, wheat, and maize have risen sharply since last summer. The price of wheat doubled between June 2010 and January 2011, while maize prices jumped 73 percent. (more…)