Empty shelves, ration quotas, consumers looking for substitutes… The mustard shortage affecting France for several months on end. If professionals expect a return to normality by the end of the year, other products could go out of stock in the coming weeks. Oils, starches, pasta, flour, rice… Most of these products are already under pressure and experience higher than average purchase levels.
With the shortages of the previous months and the fear of an inflationary rebound, a large number of households are making precautionary purchases of these basic products, which generates fears of more frequent shortages in supermarkets.
Which is already the case on some days of the week. Since supermarkets stock up earlier in the week, it’s not uncommon to find shelves of oils or starches in short supply as of Friday. Although there is no shortage as such thanks to regular supplies, tensions over raw materials remain.
Adding to international tensions and supply chain disruptions, there was a drought in France this summer. Although it is too early to assess the global impact of the lack of water and the scorching temperatures on the crops, some productions will experience a significant decline this year. This is the case of corn, whose fields “burned” in the sun in certain regions this summer. According to the first Ministry of Agriculture forecasts published in early Augustproduction is estimated at 12.7 million tons this year, 18.5% less than in 2021. Farms have also suffered from the heat. during the heat wave, the body of a dairy cow slows down and therefore produces much less milk. According to the National Federation of Milk Producers (FNPL) cited in Releasethe decrease in milk production is around 20%, or 4 to 5 liters less per cow every day.
If there is currently no risk in the supply of milk, the producers demand price increases from the large retailers without which they will give priority to the industrialists that produce cheese and butter. If the signs refuse to pay more for their milk, then breakups could follow. Other food products could run out in the coming months.
This is the case with honey and potatoes. Beekeeping professionals speak of a “dark year” with expected yields down 55% compared to an average year. Extreme drought in certain regions deprived bees of food by preventing the development of acacias or heather. And when they were not “burned” by the heat, the lack of water limited the flowering. The price of honey should skyrocket in the coming months in our stores.
Finally, with regard to potatoes, the drop in yield should also be inevitable according to the National Union of Potato Producers (UNPT). The sector expects a drop in activity of 1,000 million euros throughout the year, or a third of the turnover of the sector in France. As in most agricultural sectors, it was the repetition of episodes of intense heat that ended up blocking the development of the tubers.
Source: BFM TV
