Off Topic The SIR Kenny Dalglish Public House

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We're being warned about food shortages, has anyone noticed any? I can see shortages of sunflower oil which we don't use much of but haven't spotted any others.
 
We're being warned about food shortages, has anyone noticed any? I can see shortages of sunflower oil which we don't use much of but haven't spotted any others.
Quite a lot of empty shelves about in supermarkets - though some of that is a logistical problem due to covid-related absenteeism.
 
Quite a lot of empty shelves about in supermarkets - though some of that is a logistical problem due to covid-related absenteeism.
I haven't been in a supermarket for a while, we've done most of our food shopping online and this week sunflower oil was scarce. What caused me to ask the question was the headline from the chief of the Bank of England about "apocalyptic food shortages" - sounded pretty scary. I wondered whether it was happening now or is it a warning.
 
I haven't been in a supermarket for a while, we've done most of our food shopping online and this week sunflower oil was scarce. What caused me to ask the question was the headline from the chief of the Bank of England about "apocalyptic food shortages" - sounded pretty scary. I wondered whether it was happening now or is it a warning.
it's more of a warning as the Ukraine is traditionally known as the "bread basket of Europe"* and even if they harvest it they are struggling to export it plus the price of nearly all foodstuffs will keep rising for the foreseeable and that will cause real hardship .

* Hence the Ukranian bitterness over the Soviet caused famine in the 30's.
 
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it's more of a warning as the Ukraine is traditionally known as the "bread basket of Europe"* and even if they harvest it they are struggling to export it plus the price of nearly all foodstuffs will keep rising for the foreseeable and that will cause real hardship .

* Hence the Ukranian bitterness over the Soviet caused famine in the 30's.


One of the reasons Hitler specifically wanted to expand to the East into Soviet territory, he wanted Germany to be self sustainable producing enough food without having to import.
 
it's more of a warning as the Ukraine is traditionally known as the "bread basket of Europe"* and even if they harvest it they are struggling to export it plus the price of nearly all foodstuffs will keep rising for the foreseeable and that will cause real hardship .

* Hence the Ukranian bitterness over the Soviet caused famine in the 30's.
I'd have thought we were self sufficient in terms of wheat and grain growth. Must be some sort of knock on effect. I was wondering what I should be panic buying to sit in the spare bedroom full of toilet rolls :bandit:
 
I'd have thought we were self sufficient in terms of wheat and grain growth. Must be some sort of knock on effect. I was wondering what I should be panic buying to sit in the spare bedroom full of toilet rolls :bandit:


Did a quick Google. Britain produces enough food in a year to feed itself for 9 months. Not very good in fruit and veggies, most imported... Only produces enough to feed itself for one month a year... But most of Britain's potatoes are home grown.

So if the country watched what it ate carefully and rationed food jt could be self sufficient but probably not be a very nutritious diet... But survive it could.
 
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Did a quick Google. Britain produces enough food in a year to feed itself for 9 months. Not very good in fruit and veggies, most imported... Only produces enough to feed itself for one month a year... But most of Britain's potatoes are home grown.

So if the country watched what it ate carefully and rationed food jt could be self sufficient but probably not be a very nutritious diet... But survive it could.
I remember years ago people complained about the imported, tasteless apples from France when we produce more apples than we know what to do with ourselves.
 
For however-much globalization may have improved the thickness of our wallets. Russia has shown that there are two areas that it is important countries do remain self sufficient.

Food and Energy. It's important to keep the farms and the green spaces. It's also important to promote renewables since North Sea isn't going to power Britain by itself.
 
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I remember years ago people complained about the imported, tasteless apples from France when we produce more apples than we know what to do with ourselves.

I'm surprised it's cheaper to get them from France (I presume that's why there was a glut of them). I would have thought Britain's climate better for apple trees anyway.
 
I'm surprised it's cheaper to get them from France (I presume that's why there was a glut of them). I would have thought Britain's climate better for apple trees anyway.
They're a late season fruit though aren't they? Although places like Lidl have had allegedly Kentish apples for weeks - presumably stored from last year.
 
I'm surprised it's cheaper to get them from France (I presume that's why there was a glut of them). I would have thought Britain's climate better for apple trees anyway.
I think there's a seasonal aspect to it as well. Our apples tend to be autumnal but the main French export, golden delicious (which is actually an American variety) is produced through to summer.