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UN warns on food price inflation UN warns on food price inflation
(40 minutes later)
The head of the UN World Food Programme has warned that the rise in basic food costs could continue until 2010.The head of the UN World Food Programme has warned that the rise in basic food costs could continue until 2010.
Josette Sheeran blamed soaring energy and grain prices, the effects of climate change and demand for biofuels.Josette Sheeran blamed soaring energy and grain prices, the effects of climate change and demand for biofuels.
Miss Sheeran has already warned that the WFP is considering plans to ration food aid due to a shortage of funds.Miss Sheeran has already warned that the WFP is considering plans to ration food aid due to a shortage of funds.
Some food prices rose 40% last year, and the WFP fears the world's poorest will buy less food, less nutritious food or be forced to rely on aid.Some food prices rose 40% last year, and the WFP fears the world's poorest will buy less food, less nutritious food or be forced to rely on aid.
Speaking after briefing the European Parliament, Miss Sheeran said the agency needed an extra $375m (244m euros; £187m) for food projects this year and $125m (81m euros; £93m) to transport it.Speaking after briefing the European Parliament, Miss Sheeran said the agency needed an extra $375m (244m euros; £187m) for food projects this year and $125m (81m euros; £93m) to transport it.
This is not a short-term bubble and will definitely continue Josette SheeranWFP Q&A: Rising food pricesThis is not a short-term bubble and will definitely continue Josette SheeranWFP Q&A: Rising food prices
She said she saw no quick solution to high food and fuel costs.She said she saw no quick solution to high food and fuel costs.
"The assessment is that we are facing high food prices at least for the next couple of years," she said."The assessment is that we are facing high food prices at least for the next couple of years," she said.
Miss Sheeran said global food reserves were at their lowest level in 30 years - with enough to cover the need for emergency deliveries for 53 days, compared with 169 days in 2007.Miss Sheeran said global food reserves were at their lowest level in 30 years - with enough to cover the need for emergency deliveries for 53 days, compared with 169 days in 2007.
Biofuel pricesBiofuel prices
Among the contributing factors to high food prices is biofuel production.Among the contributing factors to high food prices is biofuel production.
Miss Sheeran says demand for crops to produce biofuels is increasing prices for food stuffs such as palm oil.Miss Sheeran says demand for crops to produce biofuels is increasing prices for food stuffs such as palm oil.
Miss Sheeran said governments needed "to look more carefully at the link between the acceleration in biofuels and food supply and give more thought to it".Miss Sheeran said governments needed "to look more carefully at the link between the acceleration in biofuels and food supply and give more thought to it".
The WFP says countries where price rises are expected to have a most direct impact include Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Haiti, Djibouti, the Gambia, Tajikistan, Togo, Chad, Benin, Myanmar, Cameroon, Niger, Senegal, Yemen and Cuba. The WFP says countries where price rises are expected to have a most direct impact include Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Haiti, Djibouti, the Gambia, Tajikistan, Togo, Chad, Benin, Burma, Cameroon, Niger, Senegal, Yemen and Cuba.
Areas where the WFP is already seeing an impact include:Areas where the WFP is already seeing an impact include:
  • Afghanistan: 2.5 million people in Afghanistan cannot afford the price of wheat, which rose more than 60% in 2007
  • Afghanistan: 2.5 million people in Afghanistan cannot afford the price of wheat, which rose more than 60% in 2007
  • Bangladesh: The price of rice has risen 25% to 30% over the last three months. In 2007, the price rose about 70%.
  • Bangladesh: The price of rice has risen 25% to 30% over the last three months. In 2007, the price rose about 70%.
  • El Salvador: Rural communities are buying 50% less food than they did 18 months ago with the same amount of money. This means their nutritional intake, on an already poor diet, is cut by half.
  • El Salvador: Rural communities are buying 50% less food than they did 18 months ago with the same amount of money. This means their nutritional intake, on an already poor diet, is cut by half.
  • Anger over rising food prices have already led to riots in Burkino Faso, Cameroon, Senegal and Morocco.
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  • Anger over rising food prices have already led to riots in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Senegal and Morocco.
    • The BBC is planning a special day of coverage of this issue on Tuesday 11 March, online, on radio and on TV.
    The BBC is planning a special day of coverage of this issue on Tuesday 11 March, online, on radio and on TV.