Grain Drain

Grains of uncooked jasmine rice are seen in Harrisburg, Pa., Thursday, April 24, 2008. U.S. rice futures hit a record high amid global food inflation. Experts say prices for rice, corn, wheat and other food staples have skyrocketed in recent months, driven by record oil costs, severe droughts, the diversion of corn for ethanol use and rapidly growing demand in China and India.

Kashmiri children eat rice outside a roadside hotel in Srinagar, India, Friday, April 25, 2008. World rice prices have risen sharply because of growing demand and poor weather in some rice-producing countries. Some Asian countries, including India and Vietnam, recently suspended rice exports to guarantee their own supplies.

A Thai merchant weighs rice in a scale in his rice shop in Bangkok on Friday, April 25, 2008. World rice prices have risen sharply this year because of growing demand and poor weather in some rice-producing countries.

Thai worker carries sack of rice at a rice shop in Bangkok on Friday, April 25, 2008. World rice prices have risen sharply this year because of growing demand and poor weather in some rice-producing countries. Some Asian countries, including India and Vietnam, recently suspended rice exports to guarantee their own supplies.

Laborers winnow the wheat grains at Bhagatanwala grain market in Amitsar, India, Friday, April 25, 2008. A sharp rise in food prices has developed into a global crisis, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday.

A woman collects the wheat grains left on the ground at Bhagatanwala grain market in Amitsar, India, Friday, April 25, 2008.

A man turns over rice at a rice factory on Viramgam highway, about 22 miles west of Ahmadabad, India, Friday, April 25, 2008.

A worker carries a rice bag for export to Bangladesh for relief at a rice factory on Viramgam highway, about 22 miles west of Ahmadabad, India, Friday, April 25, 2008. World rice prices have risen sharply this year because of growing demand and poor weather in some rice-producing countries. Some Asian countries, including India and Vietnam, recently suspended rice exports to guarantee their own supplies.

Laborers winnow the wheat grains at Bhagatanwala grain market in Amitsar, India, Friday, April 25, 2008.

Ed Yong of Omaha, Neb., holds a bag of imported Jasmine rice as he shops at an oriental food market in Omaha, Thursday, April 24, 2008.

A woman carries a bag of rice as she goes grocery shopping on Thursday, April 24, 2008 in New York. In spite of U.S. rice futures hitting a record high amid global food inflation, shop owners in New York's Chinatown said that they haven't seen people stocking up amid fears of rice shortages.

Alex Ly, 4, plays near sacks of rice in back of his family's store, Kim's Oriental Foods, in Harrisburg, Pa., Thursday, April 24, 2008. This is all the rice the store has available, far less than usual, and there is none in their storage room. U.S. rice futures have hit a record high amid global food inflation.

Containers filled with rice sit at a store inside a market in Rio de Janeiro, Thursday, April 24, 2008. Brazil announced Wednesday it had temporarily halted rice exports to ensure domestic supply amid rising world prices for the grain. Brazil grows more rice than it consumes and has a reserve that will safeguard the country's supply, authorities said.

A person manipulates rice at a market in Rio de Janeiro, Thursday, April 24, 2008.

Costco customer Jenna Liu, leaves with her allotted one 50-pound bag of rice after her purchase as Costco in Mountain View, Calif., Wednesday, April 23, 2008.

A Costco customer pick up his allotted one 50-pound bag of rice at Costco in Mountain View, Calif., Wednesday, April 23, 2008.

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