World food prices continued to rise sharply in December, bringing them close to the crisis levels that provoked shortages and riots in poor countries three years ago, according to newly released United Nations data.
World food prices have jumped 32% in the last six months. The food riots we're seeing in North Africa are beginning to spread to other locations.
A large number of young Omanis took to the streets in a peaceful protest march in the Al Khuwair district where most of the government offices are located.
The youth, protesting against the general conditions such as soaring price rise and growing unemployment, were allowed to walk in a procession although there was heavy police presence.
According to witnesses, the youth dispersed peacefully after an hour-long protest near the Ministry of Housing and Interior Ministry building.
Though the ministry area was deserted when the protest was held at government department as the staff work only up to 2.30pm. the main Sultan Qaboos Highway saw a huge traffic jam of office goers from the private sector heading home. The curious drivers slowed down the traffic, triggering congestion.
"I could see a huge crowd in the ministry area and the traffic was crawling," an expatriate, who wished not to be named, told Gulf News.
If food price problems are moving into the Middle East OPEC countries like Oman, things are about to get really bad, possibly really fast for the rest of the planet. How long before food instability begins to affect oil prices?
My guess is not long at all.
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