ANALYSIS-Grain price rise may fuel Mideast, Europe unrest

Wed Aug 11, 2010 10:27am GMT

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* Price rise comes on top of impact of financial crisis

* Discontent could fuel street unrest

* Middle East, North Africa, Europe seen most at risk

* Much depends on how long price rally lasts

By Peter Apps, Political Risk Correspondent

LONDON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Rising grain prices from Russia's drought and fires will pressure populations already hit by the financial crisis and could stoke unrest -- particularly in the Middle East, North Africa and parts of Europe.

Wheat prices have risen by nearly 70 percent since June after Russia suffered its worst drought in 130 years and are at their highest since 2008, when the last major food price rally sparked protests and riots in a string of emerging nations.

Analysts warn that if prices stay high then the threat of street violence will increase -- at least up to a point. Continued...

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