Whenever I complain about the high prices of food, I'm told to keep quiet as the worst is yet to come. Shortage and even Famine are next.
I already notice shortage, but not of essentials. We still got plenty of bread, milk, eggs, fish, veggies; yet... being a country based on import, we should worry. Covid and Ukraine are not without global consequences. It is well-known that epidemics and war disrupt both the production and distribution of food, through damage to production means and transportation routes.
Of course, there are always the usual causes such as population growth and natural calamities ( drought, flooding, cold weather, etc..). We cannot control natural causes, but we could prevent shortage and famine by trying to prevent war, fighting epidemics, and especially giving high priority to local production of food.
Our government does little to encourage local agriculture and industry. It appears, so far, to have supported the importers in their making big money - buying cheap, selling expensive.
I always check the labels on products - and it makes me sad. Most of them are imported. It's more profitable for the big firms (like our Elite coffee firm) to import stuff rather than produce it locally. However, it's not only the cost that matters, but also the food security. There's no such security if the country depends on outer sources. It is a well-known fact, and yet highly ignored.
Anyway, let's hope for no shortage, for sane prices ,and for increase in local production of food .
So far the only things that I've seen missing from the grocery shelves are processed food and snacks-which only make up a small portion of our diet. I hope it stays that way.
ReplyDeleteWe definitely won't miss processed food.
DeleteFood is a basic necessity
ReplyDeleteIndeed. It's the fuel that keeps us going.
DeleteWe see that here too, and I totally agree that we should all be trying to produce and buy locally. Like you, our government doesn't seem to encourage it either.
ReplyDeleteThe sign is on the wall, as they say, and yet import is dominant.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, Duta! I would love to have the opportunity to grow veggies here. Although it can be done, it does take careful planning because of the intense heat we have and certain crops won't grow well here. We do need to be self sustained as much as we can! We do have the current baby formula shortage here for what that is worth. I feel for parents scrambling around trying to find it for their children and not all moms want to or can breast feed. I have noticed there are shortages here and prices continue to go up. A dozen of eggs a year ago was 82 cents here. A few weeks ago it was $3.93.
ReplyDeletebetty
It doesn't look good with these high prices. It'll explode; it'll cause social unrest and violence.
DeleteWe do see some empty spaces on shelves ...
ReplyDeleteMany stores are also asking shoppers to leave items for donation to local food banks ...
I'm not to sure what the coming weeks and months will bring ...
Prices are ever increasing, It is concerning.
All the best Jan
Yes, constant price increase is a matter of deep concern.
DeleteIt's hard for me to think this is anything but planned by corrupt governments seeking power. Our only hope is in the Lord.
ReplyDeleteIf this is the time Isaiah spoke of, the desert will bloom:
The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
Isaiah 35:1-7
You're right about both: corrupt governments, and that our only hope is in God.
DeleteIt seems what is most critical these days is baby formula and that has lead to even more turmoil between factories and our government. Of course, it's no fun going to the gas pump these days, either.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what this baby formula is about, but I guess that shortage of it is causing great worry to parents.
DeleteThese are scary times. I hope things settle down. (ツ) from <A HREF="https://mymuskoka.blogspot.com/2022/05/flora-and-fauna-tails.html> Cottage Country Ontario </A>, ON, Canada!
ReplyDeleteHopefully for us all, reason prevails and things settle down in our conflicting world.
DeletePrice and shortage go sometimes hand in hand.
ReplyDeleteAustralia in general grow a lot of food but still we have imported fruit and veggies at times. At the moment the fruit and veg section of the supermarket is a bit bare due to shortage after the big rains in the northern/mid section of Australia, lots of floods.
ReplyDeleteWar however does cause problems in more ways than one Duta.
Fruit are my weakest point. I cannot imagine life without fruit. It is the weak point of the country's food too; mainly imported (except citrus fruit) and expensive even in season.
DeletePopped in from a mutual friends blog, it's always fun to meet new bloggers. Not sure I see things as dark as you. The only thing I've noticed at the stores is the formula problem for young parents. The monopoly created by a few companies caused that. We had a new grocery store come in (within walking distance) to us a few months back and a new one is slated to open in about 6 months. That will be 3 stores within walking distance...and could push it to 4, as the next closest one isn't all that far away. New houses being build over night, lots of road work being done. Things seem to be growing and prospering from my viewpoint.
ReplyDeleteWell Sandy, it depends on where one lives. After all, you live in big America which is not threatened by any, except by its inner structure.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I don't usually buy at stores even if they are within walking distance, but at the supermarket. I love the big space, the variety of stuff and prices, and even the chance to interact with people.
We are facing price hikes too. Everything is so expensive now.
ReplyDeleteIt appears to be a global matter. The solution to it would also be global, as countries are bound by economic ties and depend on them.
DeleteBuenas tardes, Duta.
ReplyDeleteMe alegro mucho de que ya tengas un PC nuevo a pesar de los sofocones que te has tenido que tomar para ponerlo en marcha.
En España, de momento, no estamos teniendo desabastecimiento, pero, si estamos sufriendo una subida bestial de precios en ciertos productos, incluso, debido a la demanda, en cultivos de todo tipo, de los que somo grandes productores y exportadores. De hecho nos dicen que somos la huerta de Europa.
Una posible hambruna me preocupa mucho, sobre todo en terceros países, donde la economía y salarios son muy precarios, de hecho, ya se están empezando a ver sobre todo en los países del Sur de América manifestaciones en las calles, y esto se puede extender a África y Asia; esto, es lo que verdaderamente me preocupa, porque los países más avanzados puede que esta situación nos haga cambiar de hábitos de consumo, pero lo que es "hambre" puede que sean ellos los que desgraciadamente lo sufran.
Un placer poder leerte de nuevo.
Un cordial saludo, amiga.
Thanks a lot for your kind words regarding my new PC and the possibility of reading me again.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad things seem to be fine in Spain, your country. Economic issues might, indeed, cause unrest and violence in third countries. Hopefully, governments will prevent that by taking proper measures to stabilize both wages and prices.
I wish I was better at growing things. It seems the deer get them before they come to fruition and if they don't, the bunnies will. But you really are spot on with this.
ReplyDeleteBeing self-sufficient is probably the best option, but it doesn't always work. The deer and bunnies are just one example.
DeleteTotally agree that local economies have to be stimulated. here farmers markets are blooming but that's not enough. The prices of groceries have gone through the roof here. The price of cheese for example has doubled. I am worried about the future
ReplyDeleteNew Zealand, your country, is widely known for its good, successful farming, and yet it's not enough, you say - prices have gone up, and the future is worrying. Sad to hear about that.
DeleteIt seems prices increase overnight.
ReplyDeleteUN warned, 'The world faces the risk of food shortages'.
You're right, Catarina, about both: price increase and shortage warning. May God help us stabilize things!
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of empty shelves in many of the stores I frequent, however the restaurants are full and food prep companies are flourishing. I think the empty shelves have more to do with people not wanting to go to grocery stores to get food anymore, they also don't want to cook so they get prepared meals delivered at home from companies such as Uber Eats and others like them. The formula shortage is sad, but how is it that it just happened suddenly. One day there was formula and the next day there wasn't. Gas is almost $6 gallon here in California where I live.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to see that you are back! I hope you are well and safe.
Always glad to get a comment from you, Alicia.
DeleteRestaurants and food companies are flourishing here too. I can understand that - people are looking for an easier life. Personally, I believe food is the key to good health, so we should take responsibility, and not leave that to others, I'm in the minority, I suppose.
Do you have any space to grow anything, even from containers??? I am studying this issue for myself at the moment. I get groceries delivered for a fee and left at the door. I do not eat out anymore nor do I use food companies. I budget and cook which has forced me to be a bit more creative in the kitchen. I also make soups. My favorite is matzo ball. You are not alone.
ReplyDeleteMy menu is more or less a fixed menu and it's based on protein + fiber, minus salt and sugar. It includes eggs and frozen fish, and of course veggies and fruit. I don't eat out except sometimes, when I fancy some meat , so I buy a small burger at McDonalds or half a portion of turkey schawarma in pita bread pocket.
DeleteSince you've mentioned matzo balls, I like wet pieces of matza to accompany my cup of coffee.
For now, I'm not interested in growing anything. I manage to eat well and not expensive.