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Shipping lines pull back from Yemen as conflict grows

Many firms are unwilling to risk vessels; this is putting pressure on food supplies as prices rise in local markets

Published Sun, Apr 12, 2015 · 09:50 PM

London

INTERNATIONAL shipping lines are being forced to scale back or suspend port calls to Yemen as the conflict gets worse, putting pressure on supplies of food as prices rise in local markets.

Yemen imports more than 90 per cent of its food, including most of its wheat and all its rice, to feed a population of 25 million. Much of its needs had been serviced by foreign ships.

Saudi Arabia and Arab allies have launched air strikes against the Iran-…