Pricy Food Staples Gone Wild

More than 36 to 40 countries around the world are experiencing major food shortages. Those suffering worst include Haiti, Djibouti, Sudan, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Somalia and Eritrea. Other countries with lesser but still serious problems are Kenya, Sri Lanka, India and China. Twenty-one of the countries are in the Sub-Saharan Africa. In the year 2007, 30 percent of the grain produced in the Unites States was used for bio fuel rather than feeding others in desperate need.


About one-fifth of corn grown is used for ethanol, which has led to a shortage of corn supply and an increase in its prices. Ethanol fuel is becoming a major alternative fuel for gas; it is used in many cars in Brazil and is a leading alternative fuel for Chevrolet Corporation.
 “Prices are rising, and there is less food in this world because more corn is being used for ethanol, rather than feeding people in desperate need”, said sophomore Amina Kaabi.


This food crisis has more affect on the developing countries, rather than on the developed countries. The food and energy crises both share many similarities. As prices in the world’s richest countries rise, poor countries experience shortages. Multinational corporations have chased aboriginal people off their lands in countries such as South America and Indonesia. Corporations have burned land there to make space for new plantations.


Government teacher, Mary Richardson said, “This is a structural problem, the economic system has not caught up with the emerging issues”. The price of food has increased drastically over the last several years.


Rice and wheat, basic food staples around the world, have risen in price by 75 percent and 120 percent respectively. Floods, bio fuels, and climate changes have contributed to the crisis. Prices have skyrocketed and increased for such staples as milk, oil, and bread in many regions of the world.


People all over the world are feeling the effects of the food shortage. In Egypt, less than two years ago, a 110 pound of wheat would cost the Egyptians eight dollars, Today; you would get the same amount of wheat for more than $25.00. Daily bread is extremely imperative to the Egyptians, therefore, as the price of wheat rises; they are unable to afford their daily bread. In Haiti, rice is one of the major food staples.


As the price of this staple rises; it has become less affordable for people who make only two dollars a day. As a result, this has left many people in Haiti living off mud cakes. In Bosnia, the prices of the basic foods such as bread, cooking oil, and milk, are starting to put Bosnians into jeopardy. Last year a gallon of milk, which cost 75 cents, is now doubled to $1.62. These ridiculously high prices in foods are expected to stay this high through the year 2015.


As many people in rich nations have seen the suffering of others in different countries, they have begun spending a smaller portion of their income on food; therefore, they will not be as affected by the food prices as their neighbors are. Part of our community has started using its source of income on necessities rather than non-needed materials.


“People in the United States have definitely started to change their lifestyles, they eat out less, buy more healthy foods rather than junk foods, and use less fuel by biking”, said health teacher, Gabriel Romano.


According to CRS vice president of overseas operations, Sean Callahan, said, “The food crisis is not only being among the poor, but it is also eroding the grains of the working and middle class”.


Not only has this crisis left people malnourished, it has also reduced wages, leading to violence. In Bangladesh, 10,000 workers protesting low pay left their jobs and took to the streets, annihilating; cars, buses, and factories due to low wages.  In Cameroon four people were killed while protesting over high commodity prices. Violence has expanded in many different countries around the world because of this major issue.


In Egypt, Ahmed Ali Hamada, a 15-year-old boy was shot on Tuesday, April 8, after attempting to question the government why they have not started to take action on this issue. This issue affects many people around the world, both rich and poor.  Many people have started to do as many things as they can to help support this issue. People in the United States have already burdened by major fuel costs, and housing morgages.


Stores in the United States such as Wal-mart and Costco, have been seeking higher demands for major food staples such as rice and wheat. As a result, these stores have been running out of these staples pretty quickly. The World Food Program said, “rising food prices and a corresponding food shortage, threaten 20 million of the planets poorest children”. In order to get rid of this issue, leaders must help increase food production. Many are working to try to prevent this issue from becoming a less serious problem.