‘People are ripping up contracts’: price of rice boils over into new territory in UK

Jason Bull, of Eurostar Commodities, says it’s the ‘hardest, most turbulent period’ for his family’s business in its history. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

The 20kg bags of rice stacked on ceiling-high shelving units look like any other but are the first to arrive in the West Yorkshire depot from Vietnam as the food price shocks fuelling inflation force companies to find cheaper ingredients.

Jason Bull, one of the directors of Eurostar Commodities, which imports rice and flour destined for restaurant chains, supermarket suppliers and caterers, says the Brighouse-based company is facing its biggest challenge in nearly 30 years.