Zoellick says food export bans exacerbate problem

BERNE (Reuters) - The World Bank is calling on countries not to ban exports of food, which worsens the problem of rising food prices, World Bank President Robert Zoellick said on Tuesday.

"We are urging countries not to use export bans. These controls encourage hoarding, drive up prices and hurt the poorest people around the world who are struggling to feed themselves," Zoellick said in a statement.

"The next few weeks are critical for addressing the food crisis," he said after a meeting of U.N. agency heads to tackle the food price crisis. Zoellick said he believed rice and corn prices would remain high, and wheat relatively high.

(Reporting by Laura MacInnnis; Editing by Jonathan Lynn)