Introduction
As the world continues to grapple with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, experts are predicting that the supply of certain grocery items could fall drastically in the coming months. This could have a major impact on the availability of certain foods, especially those that are in high demand. In this article, we will look at four grocery items that could be affected by this supply shortage and offer some tips on how to make sure you still get the food you need. We will also provide some advice on how to make healthier food choices with the limited options available. So, if you’re worried about the potential supply shortage of certain grocery items, read on to find out what you can do to make sure you still get the food you need.
Supply of These 4 Grocery Items Could Fall Drastically, Experts Predict
Experts are warning that the supply of certain grocery items could fall drastically in the coming months. According to a recent report, the availability of certain items could be affected due to a combination of factors, including the coronavirus pandemic, climate change, and trade wars.
The four items that could be affected the most are:
- Beef
- Pork
- Seafood
- Fruits and vegetables
The report states that the global demand for these items has increased significantly due to the pandemic, while the supply has decreased due to the disruption of global trade. This has caused prices to rise, and experts predict that the situation could worsen in the coming months.
In addition, climate change is also having an impact on the availability of these items. Extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, are making it difficult for farmers to produce enough food to meet the demand.
Finally, the ongoing trade wars between the US and China are also having an effect on the supply of these items. The tariffs imposed by both countries have made it more expensive for companies to import and export goods, which has led to a decrease in the availability of certain items.
Experts are urging consumers to be mindful of their food choices and to be prepared for potential shortages. They recommend stocking up on non-perishable items, such as canned goods and frozen foods, and to buy locally-sourced produce whenever possible.
This year has been defined by a strained supply chain, which has left grocery shoppers facing obstacles such as delays, purchase limits, and shortages. From the lingering effects of the pandemic to changes in the weather, various factors are impacting the availability of products on store shelves, according to experts in the industry.
If things don’t change, the supply of four key grocery items could fall drastically. Of course, that means more shortages may be on the horizon, too. (Related: Speaking of shortages, don’t forget to check out The Worst Costco Shortages of 2021.)
There’s plenty of fish in the sea, though possibly not for long. As the world’s population increases and climate change worsens, there won’t be enough wild-caught seafood to feed the demand, according to a new study from the University of British Columbia. Even with fish farming, the global supply of seafood is supposed to decrease over the next 70 years.
“If we continue to burn fossil fuels at our current rate, the amount of seafood such as fish or mussels able to be farmed sustainably will increase by only 8% by 2050 and decline by 16% by 2090,” the study says.
Egg prices have been on a roller coaster ride since the pandemic started, as their price is based on demand. But the supply of this breakfast staple could start to dwindle in some parts of the country should a new animal welfare law go into effect. New rules scheduled to take place in Massachusetts on Jan. 1 would ban eggs laid by hens in enclosures with less than a certain amount of floor space per bird, according to WVCB5.
The head of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau told the news station that there would likely be egg shortages after Jan. 1 because of the new part of the law. “We’ve got about 300,000 to 400,000 egg-laying chickens in Massachusetts,” he said. “We’ve got about 7 million people, so do the math.”
Wheat is the main ingredient in countless grocery items, and wheat futures fell on Wednesday in U.S. and Europe. One cause? The Australian harvest wasn’t strong in 2021 due to drier conditions, according to Reuters.
“Wheat futures have retreated since multi-year highs last month as worries over the Omicron coronavirus variant and easing concerns about global wheat supply have encouraged selling,” the news outlet reported on Dec. 15. “Traders said that a drier spell in Australia has also created fundamental pressure for wheat by tempering fears over rain damage to what is forecast to be a record harvest.”
Despite the U.S. Department of Agriculture launching a $1 billion loan program earlier in December in order to get the meat and poultry industries back on track, meat prices are still sky-high—and the supply may be in a crisis soon. Chicken tenders already may be harder to find, in part because they require more processing to get on store shelves.
With lots of Americans buying up ham, turkey, and other meats of choice for the holiday season, supplies at the grocery store in your neck of the woods may take a hit. In fact, Publix is already placing a purchase limit on bacon.
For more on what’s happening at your neighborhood grocery store, check out: