The shortage in the rice production of the Philippines has been augmented by imports from other Southeast Asian countries, particularly Thailand and Vietnam. But Vietnam is curbing exports by 22 per cent after record ice temperatures and a pest outbreak.
Meanwhile, legitimate rice farmers in Thailand are losing out to rice rustlers.
The Philippines is potentially among the biggest losers - with 91 million people, it cannot feed itself. After its farmers warned of a looming shortfall Manila’s fast-food outlets offered to serve “half portions” of rice to conserve stocks. The Philippines’ president, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, has also pleaded with Vietnam to guarantee 1.5m tonnes of rice this year. [Guardian]
Not a pretty scenario.
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