Higher maize prices lead to tortilla crisis in Mexico

Americas Features

By Franz Smets Jan 15, 2007, 12:47 GMT

Mexico City - Rising maize prices on world markets over the last few months have had worrying consequences for Mexico with the country's staple, the maize tortilla, becoming considerably more expensive. Mexicans now pay up to 15 pesos (1.42 dollars) for one kilogram of the thin maize flat bread, almost twice as much as previously. The left-wing opposition has lost no time in organizing protests against the acting government, which has been in place since last December. President Calderon meanwhile has announced measures to attempt to bring prices back to a realistic level, including the importation of 650,000 tons of duty-free maize from the United States. In Mexico, when a town or a particular industry suffers an economic blow, only those directly affected usually take notice. However, when tortilla prices increase, the whole country becomes jittery. 'For many Mexicans, the tortilla is a question of life and death,' journalist Manuel Janregui writes in the Reforma newspaper. The state must turn towards those who have not made progress without compromising economic rules, he says. Whether the government will keep this warning in mind, remains to be seen. Last Friday, after 200 housewives and followers of leftist opposition leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took to the streets in protest against tortilla prices, the government reacted by announcing more imports of duty-free maize from the US. These measures are intended to provide relief for those hardest hit and help keep prices down while maize remains scarce. It is proposed that higher production levels should also be stimulated. The national maize authority called on the Mexican government to build up reserves so that Mexico would be more independent of the ups and downs of world markets. The maize-tortilla chain should also be monitored by the state so that the intermediary trade could be kept under closer control. Therefore, expert appeals against the use of subsidies and price controls are falling largely on deaf ears and it seems likely that the rules of free market economics will soon be lifted for the Mexican tortilla. The opposition are currently organizing a 'crusade in defence of the tortilla' with marches, demonstrations and other types of action to take place in the coming weeks. For Mexicans, tortilla is a staple, as bread is in Germany or pasta in Italy. It is a substitute for cutlery and a plate since meat, cheese, beans, spinach or ham are placed straight onto it. Every day, 104 million Mexicans consume over 300 million tortillas. Many people in this poor and underdeveloped country have little else to eat. Mexico produces 20 million tons of maize every year, 1.3 million tons of this is yellow and the rest is white, which should be sufficient for consumption demand in Mexico. However, according to the business newspaper El Financiero, large quantities of maize are used for animal feed, particularly for chicken feed. Rising world market maize prices, with an increase from 2.4 to 3.5 dollars per bushel (35 litres) have led to panic-buying within the agricultural sector. © 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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PapaoloJan 19th, 2007 - 12:04:11

There's always rice. Spanish rice isn't bad.

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truthseeker#1Feb 10th, 2007 - 16:22:23

This is an example of the unintended(maybe) consequences of government legislation. All corn products will increase. As a fuel corn is not the best anyway.Thanks BIG government.

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Judah Ben-Hur, Amb.Feb 11th, 2007 - 18:21:19

The American Republic supports the Mexican People

America was unfortunately developed by the murdering of the indigenous inhabitants (Various tribes of Indians) and by lies and deceit.

The Dutch had great ideas for America, the French wanted a new home, Spain was addicted to blood, religion and gold, and Britain was expanding due to overcrowding and disease. The Jews brought in the Irish to manage, and the Negros to work, then came the Asians. The Mexican people were always in America and thru crafty means they were systematically pushed back into their continent. Poncho Villa was trying to save the Mexicans from the lies of oil, and the rest is still history.

Now the so called Minute Men are attempting to drive the Mexican people back across their original border. California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, etc was originally Mexico. The illegal government of Mexico has forced their people into slavery forcing them to cross over their borders into America to look for work to feed their families. The current US government does not recognize these facts as do others.

We of the American Republic respect the Mexican people and will help them regain their dignity and respect due any human being on this planet.
Under our new government, the Mexican people will be welcomed to enter our land and to work, prosper and provide for themselves and families. They can either stay or return to their country without the threat of deportation. America was invaded by immigrants from around the world looking for a better life and was built on that fact. We will offer the same opportunity for all who seek freedom and a new way of life.

Viva La Raza

We are a Legion of many, who will live a life of peace, and have respect for all living things, while having considerations for those who are different, and look for ways to truly accommodate those who are slow in understanding.

We support the poor, helpless, and defenseless people. We support the freedom of Women, we support the sane treatment of animals and the environment, we support the freedom of religion and expression. We do not support ignorance, period.

We are a growing nation of people that encourage anyone or Nation anywhere to become part of the New American Republic!

Sincerely,
Judah Ben-Hur
Ambassador
The American Republic
American Mujahideen Army Council
Headquarters: United States of America

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SP4: I want to join up...I like the tinfoil hats!Mar 2nd, 2007 - 05:06:22

I also want Elvis's autograph, to meet the Loch Ness monster, meet the alien overlords and rediscover Atlantis.

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JohnMar 8th, 2007 - 19:37:59

The obvious solution is:

Send the illegals back to Mexico where they can grow corn.

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