Food prices

[fazer]

Ethanol is another stupid feel good policy. Takes as much energy to produce (from corn) as it tries to save. All food prices jumped up to offset any energy savings. Out here in horse country, the big feedlots switched from corn fed to alfalfa fed. This in turn made feeding horses a mega expensive proposition and so dominos fall all around the world

 

[crazydoc]

And? What was the problem 2010-14?

I don't know why the price of corn went up then - maybe ethanol - just as high as recently, but without high inflation.

Annual inflation rate in the United States from 1990 to 2022​

Blaming global inflation on the US is absurd. You can believe it if you want, I won't.

A worldwide increase in inflation began in mid-2021, with many countries seeing their highest inflation rates in decades. It has been attributed to various causes, including pandemic-related economic dislocation, supply chain problems, the fiscal and monetary stimuli provided in 2020 and 2021 by governments and central banks around the world in response to the pandemic, and price gouging. Recovery in demand through 2021 ultimately led to historic and broad supply shortages (including chip shortages and energy shortages) amid increasing consumer demand. Worldwide construction sectors were also hit.

In early 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine's effect on global oil prices, natural gas, fertilizer, and food prices further exacerbated the situation. Higher gasoline prices were a major contributor to inflation as oil producers saw record profits. Debate arose over whether inflationary pressures were transitory or persistent, and to what extent price gouging was a factor.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021–2023_inflation_surge

 

[AnalogPackrat]

I don't know why the price of corn went up then - maybe ethanol - just as high as recently, but without high inflation.

Here's a big hint. Look at the last chart "All Available Data."

https://www.tititudorancea.com/z/us_diesel_onhighway_retail_prices_graphs_history.htm
Maybe you're unaware, but the majority of modern medium and large scale farming is done with diesel powered equipment.

Annual inflation rate in the United States from 1990 to 2022​

View attachment 113997

Blaming global inflation on the US is absurd. You can believe it if you want, I won't.

A worldwide increase in inflation began in mid-2021, with many countries seeing their highest inflation rates in decades. It has been attributed to various causes, including pandemic-related economic dislocation, supply chain problems, the fiscal and monetary stimuli provided in 2020 and 2021 by governments and central banks around the world in response to the pandemic, and price gouging. Recovery in demand through 2021 ultimately led to historic and broad supply shortages (including chip shortages and energy shortages) amid increasing consumer demand. Worldwide construction sectors were also hit.

In early 2022, the Russian invasion of Ukraine's effect on global oil prices, natural gas, fertilizer, and food prices further exacerbated the situation. Higher gasoline prices were a major contributor to inflation as oil producers saw record profits. Debate arose over whether inflationary pressures were transitory or persistent, and to what extent price gouging was a factor.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021–2023_inflation_surge

Yes, I agree:

"It has been attributed to various causes, including pandemic-related economic dislocation, supply chain problems, the fiscal and monetary stimuli provided in 2020 and 2021 by governments and central banks around the world in response to the pandemic..."

All of those things were caused by the unnecessarily long and fundamentally unfair (e.g. "essential business") lock downs and related policies implemented in the USA and elsewhere (like most of the "liberal" EU). Bad government with too much power. Gee, where have we been warned about that before?

Oh, and the Ukraine mess was avoidable. We and our NATO allies exacerbated and enabled the events that led to the Russian invasion over the past decade plus. And, no, that is not a pro-Putin stance. I don't accept the stupid false dichotomies that get slung around these days by people who haven't been paying attention. Again, our "leaders" failed.

 

[crazydoc]

Everything is clear through the retrospectoscope.

 

[AnalogPackrat]

Everything is clear through the retrospectoscope.

It was clear as it happened if you bothered to notice and understand some of the main variables involved. Basics like food production requires land, water, fuel, fertilizer, seed, and chemicals (for conventional high yield non-organic). TANSTAAFL.

And cornering the Russian bear by adding more and more adjacent countries to NATO was not productive in the post cold war era. Never mind our manipulations in Ukraine during the Obama administration...

 

[Kalissperno]

It was clear as it happened if you bothered to notice and understand some of the main variables involved. Basics like food production requires land, water, fuel, fertilizer, seed, and chemicals (for conventional high yield non-organic). TANSTAAFL.

And cornering the Russian bear by adding more and more adjacent countries to NATO was not productive in the post cold war era. Never mind our manipulations in Ukraine during the Obama administration...

You make some valid points about the factors affecting food prices, and it's true that understanding these variables can help us grasp the bigger picture. On a lighter note, I recently explored a fantastic Irish cafe and had a delightful experience. The food was top-notch, and the cozy atmosphere made it even more enjoyable. It's amazing how food can bring people together and create memorable moments. Have you had any interesting dining experiences or discovered new places to eat lately? Sharing food recommendations is always a great conversation starter!

 

[scott2000]

be bop boop