There has been a lot of anxiety lately about food shortages. Since the start of the pandemic, people have flooded their supermarkets to get items before they sell out. And even with the pandemic still ongoing, another problem has been added to the mix — supply chain issues. Throw into all of that recent conflicts in Europe and rising prices, and there are plenty of issues to be worried about. So, will there be a food shortage coming to America? Read on to find out what the deal is.
Supply and Demand
According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) website, there are no nationwide food shortages. However, problems with the overall supply chain could have ripple effects in the coming months. The USDA has data showing food demand is up 13% compared to last year, while changes happening at food processing facilities have slowed the supply chain down. This will obviously result in longer times for people to get their hands on products they want. Some analysts explain that two factors have affected supply chain issues — climate change and pandemic-related issues at food processing factories.
Meat, Pet Food, Aluminum
This may seem like an unlikely trio, but these are the products most affected by supply chain issues. As COVID restrictions remain in place at slaughterhouses, there will be a reduced supply of meat this fall. Reuters has reported on prices increasing up to 20% on pet food prices, mainly for cats and dogs. A few factors are involved with the pet food prices. Corn, soybeans, and meat prices have also been going up, and those are the main ingredients in pet food. People are also buying and adopting more pets since the pandemic. So it’s no wonder that pet food is going to be more expensive. Aluminum-based products like canned goods, soda cans and other aluminum products will see a price increase as well.
Ports
It’s not just supply-chain issues that affect food and other product shortages. It’s about how they’re moved and delivered as well. The Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach have announced they will now operate 24/7 to help alleviate the long delays. This is important because these ports combined handles 40% of the country’s container traffic. Major companies like Walmart, Fedex, and UPS have all extended their moving hours as well to help with the supply chain issue. So while there is not a food shortage in America right now, there are other major issues facing the country. Keep coming back to read more updates on these matters.
