Global food shortage forces prices up

There is a growing global food crisis. Shortages and rising prices have led to riots in several countries over the past couple of weeks.

There have been protests in Egypt, Bangladesh, the Philippines and Haiti.

Queues for food are growing in many poorer countries

In some parts of the world, staples like wheat and rice have risen in price by as much as 70% over the past year.

Now the World Bank has recognised the depth of the crisis. Its president, Robert Zoellick, has called for a "New Deal" for the world's poorest countries.

He also wants the world's rich countries to stump up $500m for alleviating hunger - and he's not happy with the response so far.

Listen Listen to his comments (24 secs)

He also made reference to some of the countries most affected by rising food prices, including Haiti.

Listen Listen to his comments (31 secs)

One of the factors driving up food prices has been the switch of agricultural land use from growing food to producing bio-fuels.

Many people blame bio-fuels for increasing food shortages

It is a simple supply and demand equation: if you produce less food then the price goes up.

Jean Ziegler is the UN special rapporteur on the right to food.

Listen Listen to Jean Ziegler (4 mins 15 secs)

African countries are feeling the effects of the current crisis in both supply and price.

Marcus Prior is spokesperson for the World Food Programme for East and Central Africa.

Listen Listen to Marcus Prior (2 mins 39 secs)

First broadcast 13th and 14th April

For more on the increase in global rice prices click here