Rome—World rice prices that have tripled in Asia over the course of the year may come down but overall food prices will remain high for years to come, leaving millions more hungry, a U.N. food agency warned Thursday.
High oil prices, growing demand, flawed trade policies, panic buying and speculation have sent food prices soaring worldwide, trigging protests from Africa to Asia and raising fears that millions more suffer malnutrition.
On Thursday, tens of thousands of workers in Senegal -- from teachers to tax officials, fishery and port workers -- stayed home as part of a strike staged by unions to protest the spiraling cost of rice, fuel and other basic goods.
Surging food prices have also sparked riots in Haiti and fed worries about supplies in the Philippines. - Associated Press
Looting is imminent.
