Food riot

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A food riot is when people riot to protest not having enough food or getting fair access to it. Common causes include rising food prices, bad harvests, problems with storing and transporting food, and speculation or hoarding. Pests or contaminated food can also spark shortages. In desperate times, people may attack shops, farms, homes, or government buildings to obtain staples like bread, grain, or salt. The 1977 Egyptian bread riots are a well-known example. Food riots are often tied to wider social movements, such as the Russian or French Revolutions. Women have frequently led these protests, making them a way for women to participate in politics even where they have limited rights.

From 2007 to 2008, rising global food prices sparked riots in many countries, and a similar crisis occurred in 2010–2011. In 2012, drought in the U.S. Midwest, dry conditions in Russia, India, and the Sahel region of Africa raised fears of more protests. Some researchers warned of possible instability, while others said there was no immediate danger unless prices kept rising or governments restricted trade.

Experts note that many factors can drive food riots, not a single cause. Climate change, trade policies, and the use of corn for ethanol can push prices higher, but poverty, hunger, and political dissatisfaction also play roles. Social media can help rioters organize, and calls for broader changes—like improving jobs, equality, and social justice—often accompany protests.

In Venezuela during the 2010s, falling oil prices and high inflation contributed to shortages and famine. In South Africa in July 2021, protests began over the arrest of a former president but grew into nationwide riots and looting of stores, driven by a strong economic downturn and COVID-19 job losses.