I read the article real early this morning and I just saw reports from CNN and Fox news talking about it. Fox had the reporter on but he didn't add any thing new, but did add a little more detail about foreigners coming in and buying wheat and rice. According to him they are not sure how much is for immediate use and how much is speculative.
I lean towards the speculative because of the following reasons.
The following article details the closing of the largest rice mill in the southern hemisphere
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/17/business/17warm.php
I also read an article (I can’t find it now) but here is another that basically says the same thing. http://allafrica.com/stories/200803101649.html