The growth in the cereal consumption in the US was the highest in the world in 2007-08, according to the 'Global Food Market Report' of the Food and Agricultural Organisation.

The food grain consumption in the US is estimated to have increased to 310.4 million tons in 2007-08 from 277.6 million tons in the previous year, showing 11.81 per cent jump.

In contrast, the consumption in India is estimated to have grown by mere 2.17 per cent to 197.3 million tons from 193.1 million tons. In China the growth was 1.8 per cent to 389.1 million tons from the previous 382.2 million tons.

The growth in food grain consumption is quite low in China and India, compared to the scorching pace at which their economies have been expanding. The Chinese economy has consistently been growing between 10 and 11 per cent while India has average over 8.5 per cent GDP growth for the last four years.

"Worldwide there is increasing demand. There turns out to be prosperity in developing world, which is good...In other words, the more prosperous the world is, the more opportunity there is.

"It also, however, increases demand. So, for example, just as an interesting thought for you, there are 350 million people in India who are classified as middle class. That's bigger than America. Their middle class is larger than our entire population," Bush had said triggering protests by major Indian political parties, including the Congress, the BJP and the Left.

Food grain consumption in several developing countries like the Phillipines, Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Turkey have declined, the FAO report said.

During his visit to India last month, FAO Director General Jacques Diouf had said that besides increasing demand from China and India, diversion of food grains towards production of bio-fuels is also contributing to the rising commodity prices across the world.