THE global rice shortage and high rice prices are caused by a variety of factors and vary from country to country.

Natural disasters and adverse weather have reduced harvests, more land is being used for biofuel production instead of grain, and high fuel prices have added to transport and production costs.

The drop in supply and rise in prices have been exacerbated by hoarding and smuggling as well as the curbing of exports by major producers.

Countries such as China, Vietnam and India have tried to cut exports to secure local supplies.

The price hikes - 30 to 40 per cent in the past three months - are likely to hit many countries in Asia hard. Rice is the top major food item consumed from Bangladesh to Vietnam, with more than three billion people dependent on the staple grain.

According to IE Singapore, the top rice-producing countries last year were:

1. China

2. India

3. Indonesia

4. Bangladesh

5. Vietnam

6. Thailand

7. Myanmar

8. The Philippines

9. Japan

10. Brazil

Singapore imported 326,854 tonnes of rice last year.

Its top five sources last year were:

1. Thailand - 193,432 tonnes

2. Vietnam - 69,690

3. India - 36,989

4. Pakistan - 9,204

5. US - 5,434