With the continuing effects of the pandemic, ongoing supply chain issues, and threats of climate change looming, many Virginians may soon face dealing with higher food prices and shortages.
Whether you’re a worried resident or a citizen invested in national food security, read on to find out the potential risks looming ahead in Virginia.
The food-supply problems in the Old Dominion
Virginia residents are already feeling the effect of food shortages due to supply chain issues.
While Virginia has a tremendous agricultural industry (the largest private industry by far), there are still many goods that are imported or processed in factories outside of the state. As a result, when the pandemic strains the resources needed for manufacturing and food processing, the food supply decreases.
Inflation is an equally problematic issue in this regard, adding another layer of trouble. Amidst the post-COVID economic recovery, companies in the shipping and other industries have raised prices far beyond their profit margins. This fact makes it difficult for food banks, as well as middle- and low-income Americans, to afford food.
And the final coup in the food supply was served by nonother than Russian President Putin himself. The war in Ukraine has further strained food imports and catapulted oil prices. First, Ukraine is the major global exporter of wheat. And second, the higher oil prices make transport of food more expensive and in some cases even cut off entire supply lines.
You may soon face empty food shelves or unbearably more expensive grocery runs.
Virginia food prices have jumped lately
Virginia has seen a considerable rise in most food prices in the last five years: whole milk prices and egg prices have doubled, chicken prices have increased by around 30 percent, and other products have seen commensurate increases.
All this data suggests that the threat of food shortages remains high in Virginia, especially for lower-income residents. Families and individuals living on fixed and low incomes face the largest threat of going hungry. If your salary hasn’t increased at least at the rate of inflation this year, that means that you’ve got demoted in a strange twist of economic fate.
Are you worried about food shortages in Virginia?
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