Farmers can't keep up with rising demand. The world is in a food crisis that's already boiled over in some places. Track the impact with the stories and map below.
Italy's "new poor"
Double-digit price rises for staple foods and the latest spasms of the financial crisis have forced many Italians to collect handouts of the basic foods they can no longer afford. Full Article
On the farm
Fertilizer threat
It powered the Green Revolution and helped save millions from starvation, but now, one of the most important tools on the farm is being priced out of reach for many of the world's growers. Full Article
Bee banishment
With soaring global demand for food and biofuels sending crops sprawling across the fertile Argentine plains, beekeepers in the world's No. 1 honey region are feeling the sting. Full Article
Agflation and War
Hearts and stomachs
Afghanistan is facing one of its worst food shortages in years, with prices of the staple wheat rising 60 percent in the first half of the year. Full Article
Food price woes
Iraqis once lived in constant fear of car bomb attacks while shopping. Now, the biggest concern at the market is soaring food prices. Full Article
Graphics
- Ethanol production
- Rice production
Focus on Food
End of decadence?
With soaring food prices sparking protests in many countries and more than 800 million people going hungry every day, U.S. food portions are increasingly under scrutiny. Full Article
To heat or to eat?
"Fuel poverty" -- a phenomenon that has crept into the lower income brackets of British society in recent years -- is now at the top of the political agenda, as more people are choosing between food and heat. Full Article
focus on ethanol
Grain boom over?
For many farmers rather than lasting prosperity, the commodities boom has brought costlier fuel and fertilizers. This has some Spanish farmers already thinking of switching away from grain this winter. Full Article
Harvest advances hurt
In top biofuel producer Brazil, manual cane cutting, a grueling job once done by slaves, is being fazed out as demand pushes new technology. Full Article
Food Crisis - Mouse over the countries in the map below to track the latest food-related news and some selected policy responses
Graphic: The dynamics of the corn market
Corn production has soared - but so has demand. This look at a key commodity shows the stresses in force in the global market.
Click on the buttons to track the growth in corn production and the impact of ethanol. Through it all, prices have fluctuated -- Frank Tantillo
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
More Headlines
Video
Rice hits record highs
Rice risks becoming a luxury in the face of soaring prices -- threatening pinched budgets in the West and starvation in developing countries. Video
portfolio focus
Ahold says vigilant on economy, food prices
The Dutch supermarket group expects its U.S. operations to improve in the later part of 2008. Full Article
Recent Posts from Global Voices Bloggers
See what bloggers from the Global Voices network are saying about rising food prices. 
