High prices for corn are threatening to cause upheaval in Mexico, where the commodity is a daily staple, the Christian Science Monitor reports.
Makers of tortillas said a few weeks ago prices for corn could increase as much as 50 percent. Corn's increase by that amount in 2007 led to "tortilla riots," which featured protestors marching with corn cobs in hand and the repeated chant of "Without corn, we aren’t a country."
Mexico has stood opposed to the threats to increase prices of corn. Its inspectors monitor tortilla shops to prevent price hikes. And the government has bought a type of insurance that will sustain corn prices as are going into 2011.
"The prices are guaranteed," Economy Minister Bruno Ferrari told reporters. "The supply necessary until the third quarter of next year is covered."
But one vender of tortillas at a Mexico City market told reporters the inspectors have visited his operation to be sure tortilla prices remain stagnant. He acknowledged the likelihood is high that he will have to raise prices on corn tortillas next year.
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