Right to eat: Rising protectionism worsens global food crisis

Right to eat: Rising protectionism worsens global food crisis

Right to eat: Rising protectionism worsens global food crisis

June 01 2022 12:45 AM



The across-the-world food crisis, currently affecting consumers in both poor and rich nations at varying levels, is worsened by growing food protectionism in the developing world.

Just as governments are trying to safeguard local supplies, the effects are threatening to spill over into richer economies.

Countries are restricting exports to cope with high prices that have been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.

India has moved to curb wheat and sugar shipments, Indonesia has limited palm oil sales, and some other nations have issued grain quotas.

Malaysia has announced a ban on chicken exports, causing consternation in Singapore, which gets a third of its supplies from there.

The poorest countries are most vulnerable to surging food prices and shortages, but wealthier economies aren’t immune too.

Almost 10mn Britons are estimated to cut back on food in April amid a cost-of-living crisis.

The UK government last week announced a new £15bn support package aimed at the most vulnerable, ahead of an expected 42% jump in energy bills in October, which follows a 54% hike last month.

US restaurants are shrinking the size of their portions, while France has pledged to