The trouble has been growing for the past four years. In 2008, riots erupted over tortillas in Mexico. Next, Italians cried over the price of pasta. The worst was yet come. In fact, the level of concern in dozens of countries across the world has risen, all over the price of food. Today, the effects of the high cost of food can be seen in the United States.
The Department of Agriculture released a report at the end of 2008, which detailed the trend of rising food costs. This trend was compared to a similar occurrence during 1990 in America. Prices of commodity crops such as rice and corn are on the rise. These commodities affect us greatly. As corn continues to rise in price, other products follow suit. For example, the cost of beef and dairy products are rising. Some believe that the prices of commodities such as rice and corn will reach record highs.
In America we have not had the same degree of social unrest seen in other countries in regards to food prices; however, rising food costs, a growing unemployment rate and the continuing problems in the mortgage industry are leading to an unprecedented era of unhappiness in the country.
Some are reminded of a similar situation in the 1970s; however, today’s food prices have had a different impact politically speaking as the country continues to struggle with mortgage failures, high unemployment rates and rising food costs they are addressing these problems by changing the way they cast their votes at election time.
The true problem is, perhaps, our inability to see a way out of this rising problem. Americans may be more apt to accept higher food costs on a temporary basis, but currently there is no end in sight.
Food costs are on the rise and no one can tell us if when the phenomenon is likely to end. Until such time as the food prices level out we’re likely to see growing unrest in the streets of the United States.