Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Why India's rice ban could trigger a global food crisis
Rice, wheat, and maize (corn) are the three most important food crops
in the world. Together, they feed about 80% of the world’s population, and rice
does nearly half of humanity. China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam together
represent over 75% of the world’s rice production, and they also are the top 5 rice-consuming
countries. In Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Thailand, the share of rice consumption
in total calorie intake is around or over 50%. Indeed, rice is a staple food for
many people. India, the world’s top rice exporter accounting for 40% of the
global trade of rice, exported rice to 140 countries last year, However, on
July 20, India banned the export of Indica white rice, which dominates around
70% of the global trade in addition to last year’s ban on broken rice export,
in order to curb the price hike in the domestic market. This created a sudden
price surge and panic buying of some rice products in many countries. Will India
lift the ban before next year’s general election? Will this trigger more export
restrictions by other rice-exporting countries?
Read the article and learn about the global production, trade, and consumption
of rice.
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