Biofuels blamed for food price rises
Updated on 16 July 2007
An increase in biofuels has been blamed for the rise in food prices.
The World Food Programme says it is finding it difficult to feed as many hungry people as in the past.
Rising demand from China and bad weather conditions are responsible, but the UN agency also blames biofuels.
They are usually made from corn, soya beans or sugar and the demand from energy companies is driving the price of these crops up.
In the United States, ethanol production from corn is expected to double this year.
The European Commision has set a target for 10 percent of transport fuels to come from biofuels by 2020.
