As Global Prices Soar, More People Go Hungry

An article in Sunday's Washington Post discussed the effects the global financial crisis is having on poorer countries around the world. There was already a food crisis, as grain prices were increasing so rapidly that many third world countries struggled to keep up, but now that the wealthier nations are suffering, they haven't been able to come through with the humanitarian aid that they promised to help deal with these troubles.
Commodity prices have decreased, but they are coming down so fast, that there is some concern that it could effect decisions to plant for next season, leading to shortfalls that would only worsen the problem.
Amid the confusion of dealing with the sudden shift in economic climate, some countries such as China, have begun putting up export tariffs in order to make sure that goods which are needed domestically, remain there first, before they are sent abroad. One of the items they mentioned was fertilizer, something China makes and routinely exports to other countries. Specifically, poorer countries are struggling to deal with this protectionism. They don't have the domestic production to turn to, and they rely on foreign countries for these tools. With the higher prices there may be additional agricultural shortfalls in countries where there isn't the room for it.