Although food prices have continued to rise, riots because of this fact have been almost non-existent as people have generally suffered in silence.

Hundreds of youths clashed with police in several cities in Algeria, including the capital, over food price rises and chronic unemployment.

It has been a summer of record temperatures — Japan had its hottest summer on record, as did South Florida and New York.

After violence in Africa and protests in Egypt, Serbia and Pakistan, the United Nations are to urge action on the rising cost of food.