Food price crisis tops agenda at UN trade conference

    Concerns are mounting over soaring food prices worldwide, which have even triggered riots and threaten hunger in dozens of countries, such as Haiti, Egypt and the Philippines, analysts said.

    The rising food prices have also prompted UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who attended the opening session of the five-day UNCTAD conference which opened in Ghana's capital Accra on Sunday and brings together more than 3,000 delegates from 193 nations, to issue a warning that UNCTAD "could not have come at a more crucial time."

    World leaders, international organizations as well as commentators all warn that it could have grave implications for international security, economic growth and social progress.     

    The food price rises virtually started in 2002, but have accelerated in the past few years, especially since August 2007. In 2007 alone, international grain prices soared by 42 percent.