Some stats from a recent article on a growing rice shortage.
  • 33% Rise since January in price paid by Philippines for rice from Vietnam
  • 3 billion People worldwide who rely on rice as a staple food
  • 40% Rise in rice price in Thailand this year
  • 19.2% Rise in consumer prices in Vietnam last month, against March 2007
  • 8.4% Rise in food prices in the Philippines last month, compared with March 2007
  • 854 million Number of people worldwide who are “food insecure”
  • 1 billion People globally who survive on less than $1 a day, defined as “absolute poverty”