As with so many staples and foods in the past two years – lettuce, milk and eggs to name a few – the problem is a temporary imbalance between supply and demand. Here’s what’s happening with potatoes.
The U.S. government can’t do much about rising food prices, which are primarily caused by supply chain problems.
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh
Many voters say inflation is the issue that matters to them most as they head to the polls. The problem is, the people they choose can’t do much about it.
High food prices are exposing yet another risk of our hyper-concentrated global food system and strengthening the case for more diversified and decentralized alternatives.
A farmer holds kernels of oil palm fruits in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 17, 2022. Indonesia, one of the world’s top palm oil exporters has banned exports of cooking oil and its raw materials to reduce domestic shortages and hold down skyrocketing prices since late last month.
(AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
Over the past two years, labour restrictions, climate change and violent conflict have contributed to the record-breaking high prices of vegetable oil around the world.
Supply chains were already in disarray thanks to overcongested ports, as in Los Angeles.
AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes
In the short term, the war is causing energy prices to soar and prompting fears of famine in some countries. In the long term, it could remake the modern global supply chain.