Cambodia has become the latest Asian country to impose restrictions on exports of rice – the staple food for half the world’s population.

The government announced the two-month export ban to ensure “food security” on Thursday, blaming surging overseas demand – particularly in Africa and the Middle East - for the skyrocketing cost of rice.

Worldwide rising demand has seen rice stocks plummet to their lowest in about three decades, with average prices doubling over the last five years.

Earlier this month the UN secretary general warned that global food stocks had fallen to their lowest level in decades, driving prices up and threatening millions with starvation.

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