Poor nations move to lock down vital food supplies amid global crisis fears

[Stumuz2]

Don't think the sunflower oil will be that much of a problem. Easily substituted with other oils and fats. In fact a bigger switch to lard will probably help UK pork producers.

What is coming down the line quickly is famine. Nations that rely and heavily subsidise grain for their populations are finding the Chinese have cornered the market in grains, after they dumped the dollar in 2020. Because the US, when covid hit, started printing currency like a drunken sailor on shore leave.
The Chinese did not want the debased dollar and switched its FX savings into commodities instead. Hence, commodities recent price boom.

So very poor countries are going to priced out of the available grain, world food programme will only be able to purchase part of the usual grains because of the decreased supply and inflated price.

A new epoch, both geopolitically and monetary was started January 2020.

[adam2]

For frying, I tried beef dripping instead of veg oil, and find that I much prefer the taste. I try to minimise fried food lest I become stout(er)

[clv101]

Beef dripping makes the best roast potatoes.

[UndercoverElephant]

Beef dripping makes the best roast potatoes.

I generally use duck fat, which we have plenty of.

[Default0ptions]

Another up vote for beef dripping from me!

Stum has a very good point about potential famine, and I don’t think we’re doing nearly enough to address the issue.

I’m not sure what can actually be done.

Hard times coming up :/p

[PS_RalphW]

Having been vegetarian for 30 years, dripping isn't really an option for me. (my vegetarian GF dumped me, and I promised to turn veggie if she came back. Happily married 20 years to a meat eater and still a veggie)

I am certain I am a lot healthier for it.

[Default0ptions]

>>>I am certain I am a lot healthier for it.

And you got the girl too )

[clv101]

Another up vote for beef dripping from me!

Stum has a very good point about potential famine, and I don’t think we’re doing nearly enough to address the issue.

I’m not sure what can actually be done.

Hard times coming up :/p

Before the Russian invasion, I was pretty sure 'Global Food Crisis' would be the biggest story well within a decade. The war has only brought this forward.

[PS_RalphW]

>>>I am certain I am a lot healthier for it.

And you got the girl too )

Different girl. The veggie one lives a few miles away

[kenneal - lagger]

I've been trying to get my family to stockpile a few more commodities but my daughter thinks it is a bad idea after the covid debacle. My wife agrees, unfortunately.

We do have a stockpile of some food items and a field full of cattle and I have been planting the garden well this year using non hybrid seeds so we can seed save if necessary.

Importing 50% of our food will leave us very vulnerable. It makes me wonder if that is why the government are now making it difficult for immigrants and refugees to get into the country. Maybe they have been warned.

[UndercoverElephant]

It makes me wonder if that is why the government are now making it difficult for immigrants and refugees to get into the country. Maybe they have been warned.

Perhaps. Given the mindset of politicians, I suspect it is more that they know this is a vote winner and that the inevitable opposition of the other main parties will alienate a lot of people in the centre.

[UndercoverElephant]

Same story, but for readers of the Daily Star:

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world- ... n-26781642

THE world will run out of food in 27 years, scientists have warned.

They have launched a doomsday countdown and say we have exactly 27 years and 251 days left as of Sunday ( April 24).

[mr brightside]

I think there needs to be a concerted effort to stop people reproducing, it seems to me to be the best way to deal with it.

I'm also quite surprised at how cult books like LTG are in our society; someone recently recommended 'The Unabomber Manifesto', is it any good?

[careful_eugene]

I think there needs to be a concerted effort to stop people reproducing, it seems to me to be the best way to deal with it.

I think there already is in the UK, from the office for national statistics-
"The total fertility rate (TFR) for England was 1.59 children per woman in 2020, decreasing from 1.66 children per woman in 2019, a decrease of 4.2%."
The fact that many younger people can't afford to buy a house or are living in unstable rented accommodation puts them off having children at all or at least leaving it till later in life.

[kenneal - lagger]

The increase in the population of the UK has been down to immigration since the early 1950s and that immigration has been encouraged by all parties to keep economic growth going.

The fact that the Tories are now being seen to do something strongly suggests that they know something about food supply that they aren't telling us for fear of starting a panic. I would think that the armed forces have let government know that there is a strong possibility of food shortages that cold affect national security as such warnings are part of their remit. The other way of looking at it is the Tories want to be seen to be doing something while quietly letting all and sundry in to keep growth going.