Shortage?

<a href="http://www2.nysun.com/article/74994?page_no=1">Food Rationing Confronts Breadbasket of the World</a><br />n<br />n<blockquote>Many parts of America, long considered the breadbasket of the world, are now confronting a once unthinkable phenomenon: food rationing. Major retailers in New York, in areas of New England, and on the West Coast are limiting purchases of flour, rice, and cooking oil as demand outstrips supply. There are also anecdotal reports that some consumers are hoarding grain stocks.<br />n<br />nAt a Costco Warehouse in Mountain View, Calif., yesterday, shoppers grew frustrated and occasionally uttered expletives as they searched in vain for the large sacks of rice they usually buy.</blockquote><br />n<br />nStarting to see some problems all ready with food even here in the US. I guess I wonder if there is an actual shortage of rice or if the perceived shortage of rice have people hoarding it, causing the shortages? I guess either way there isn't as much rice out there as people want causing problems.<br />n<br />nSomewhere I heard the other day that between food and fuel, prices were up dramatically in the US and we were seeing inflationary pressures. Stuff like this doesn't help. Towards the end of the story the one person is complaining that 25 pounds of rice is costing $30 dollars. Pretty steep for sure, but here about a month ago I bought My Darling Wife a 25 pound bag of the special flour she uses and had to pay $25 for it. I've heard it's went up more since then. I see in the grocery store the other day that the same flour is $15 for a 10 pound bag.<br />n<br />nI guess we are seeing the market reacting to shortages, real or imagined. America needs to get its act together so it can feed itself.