Pointers for the rice shortage, in several countries, especially in Asean: World price of rice increase continously, and had force countries to reduce their imported rice. For example, Malaysia had imported about 300,000 tonnes of rice in the past four months, since January 2008, that is 40% reduction of the common level of imported rice. Private millers (control 55% of local rice market in Malaysia) may have reduced their production in expectation that local price may also increase significantly.
by F.J. Putuhena