World on brink of social unrest over food prices

Violence in Algeria could be the start of protests over rising costs of essential commodities such as grain and meat.

Dubai: Protests by angry youths in Algeria are just one example of the alarming signs on the horizon with regard to rising food prices.

Food inflation in many Asian countries, including China and India, is in double digits. The Kenyan government has issued a drought and famine alert after reports of several people having died from hunger-related causes.

International organisations are talking of "a food price shock" hitting the world.

With food supplies and prices making headlines around the globe for the second time in less than three years, experts are warning of the possibility of social unrest sweeping through poor countries. More...