Asia rice is disappearing from the food shop of Westeners - are you worried?

Question

nice one anna - and 2007 saw the world's biggest ever food production.

Answer 1

Im bummed, but at this point its limited to 3 large bags per shopper, I dont use THAT much, but I do have rice with at least 1 meal every day, Id hate to lose it all together because its a HUGE staple of my diet, my bigger concern is how it will effect restaurants (as a I frequent sushi joints often) and the prices of eating there

Answer 2

no its food...we can grow it...it's not like oil, it's a renewable resource!

Answer 3

No, I really don't eat much rice, and there is no shortage by me (as I read in the papers this morning)

Answer 4

I'm actually glad that it's disappearing. Now all of the Pakis will finally pack up and go home where they belong. ^_^

Answer 5

I wonder how much is real shortage, and how much is opportunistic stockpiling and profiteering.

Anyone who remembers the 1970's is familiar with this cycle. First, it was the "energy crunch" caused by the "oil crisis". Then, stories of natural disasters in Brazil fueled the first of many "shortages"--the coffee shortage. This was followed by a meat "shortage", a sugar "shortage", a lettuce "shortage" and the list goes on. Prices were unreal, particularly for sugar and meat, as the middlemen saw their chance to make boocoos. A few years down the road we discovered that in the case of meat, sugar, flour and other staples, the "shortages" were down to stockpiling and price gouging. But at that time, Americans reacted with an attitude of "save and conserve". There were articles in popular magazines about how to get by with less, carpooling was all the rage, the "layered look" became fashionable as homes and businesses lowered their thermostats, and we were taught in school about saving heat, gas, etc.

We all remember the Enron scandal, and when the damage from Katrina was trumpeted as the source of a terrible energy crisis, I saw again the 70's in the making. Yes, there may be real roots to the problem, but we can rest assured that big businesses will be right there helping to empty our pockets.

These days, however, people don't seem disposed to do without or make a big effort to save. They complain, oh yes, but no one seems to see that part of the solution at least is in our own hands.

Answer 6

Worrying doesn't solve anything and all it causes are wrinkles so no. Anything can happen worrying doesn't make it better

Answer 7

They were talking about that on the news this morning. Food prices are going up because of food shortages. I am a little worried.

Answer 8

Farmers' incomes are up b.c of high food prices in US, even though I'm not worried for me or even a lot of westerners I'm deeply concerned about Africa and Haiti and other poor countries whose staple is rice; they don't have enough $ to replace rice like we do.

Answer 9

It come to would you have rice or gas in your car ???

Answer 10

who cares i agree with uba

Answer 11

omg that is so funny me and my dad were talking about that last nite, heck yes im worried im mesican i need my beans and rice lol.

Answer 12

Nope not me. I'd choose potatoes over rice any day. so long as there's no major floods to destroy the potato crop i'm a happy chappy!

Answer 13

No, it doesn't concern me.

Answer 14

Nah, plenty of other stuff to eat. I won't even miss it.

Answer 15

Nope. I'm sure they know how they can solve that problem. I also think they're doing that to scare the trade or export market of rice to raise the prices. Those growers/laborers that live in Asia & where rice grow up in the marsh wet lands are 3rd world countries. Afterall, Asia has been the top growers of rice around the world, for centuries or even back in those early early days rice is their staple & being that you think rice will be out its just a cover Asia are the leader rice grower of the world see whos the boss now. Bottom line its all about $$$$.

Love rice. i'm Asian but born & raised in the US.

There alternatives to eat mash potatoes, noodles, pasta, dinner rolls, breads, &  tortillas