Preparation for food shortages: Food that becomes scarce or expensive during the Ukrainian War

---

---

👉 The key facts from this guide

The scarcity of food is not far away, but that doesn't mean every trip to your grocery store has to be frustrating permanently.

Instead, shortages are usually temporary, regional events that last for weeks (or longer).

The best way to prepare is to start shopping responsibly today.

Now let's take a look at which foods could become scarce in the future.

How Does a Crisis Affect Food Availability?

Food scarcity is common in crisis situations. During a crisis, the economic system falters and people lose their jobs.

In addition, natural disasters and other emergencies can disrupt the supply chain for these goods. This means that fewer food items are available to the people who need them most.

What Happens to the Food Supply Chain During a Crisis?

A crisis can disrupt a company's supply chain in many ways. One way is through the provision of raw materials. If a company's suppliers are disrupted, there may be insufficient raw materials for the manufacture of goods.

This can lead to shortages of products and stores. And it can also lead to higher prices for you as a consumer.

The same thing happened in Germany in 2022 when Russia attacked Ukraine. As Ukraine is a major exporter of sunflower oil and rapeseed oil, these two oils were almost unavailable in German supermarkets.

The food industry is no exception here: it relies on a stable supply chain for its products and services.

In recent years, the food industry has been strongly affected by crises, including the financial crisis of 2008, droughts in California, the Ebola virus outbreak in 2014, the Covid-19 virus, and now the war in Ukraine.

These events have all led to disruptions in the food supply chain, which have had enormous impacts on consumers' access to food and the prices they pay for it.

Which foods are most likely to be scarce due to the Ukrainian conflict?

The longer the war in Ukraine lasts, the greater the chance that prices will continue to rise or food will not be available at all.

Currently, supply shortages can still be compensated for with stocks, but in the medium and long term, stocks will be depleted.

If you are concerned about the future, you may want to know which foods are most likely to be scarce.

Now you will find a list of foods that are likely to become scarce or at least more expensive.

What does the war in Ukraine mean for oil and gas prices?

Especially energy-intensive factories, such as steel mills that use an electric furnace, will not be able to bear the rising costs permanently.

The glass industry is also affected, which mainly operates its glass furnaces with gas.

The chemical industry requires a quarter of the total gas consumption in Germany. And almost every industry needs chemical products. In addition, chemical companies produce fertilizers which farmers use. If these are scarce or gone, nothing will be grown.

Some paper manufacturers have already reduced their production. The consequences? Toilet paper becomes more expensive again or is no longer available.

However, the logistics industry is most affected, as some haulage companies can no longer afford to pay the rising prices of petrol and diesel - the trucks are standing still. And as if the petrol and diesel prices weren't already problematic enough, over 100,000 drivers are missing from Ukraine.

And it is not only the vehicles on the road that are affected, as some fishermen are now leaving their boats idle due to the expensive fuel.

How can I prepare for a food crisis?

A food crisis drives up food prices. It can be caused by a drought or a storm.

There are several ways to prepare for it.

One of the simplest things you can do is to buy in bulk and store at home.

You should also stock up on cans, water, and other extremely long-lasting supplies that will last for weeks or months if needed.

It is also advisable to consider how much money you have in your savings account and how high your debts are, so that you know what kind of food and equipment is appropriate for your situation.

In my list of the most important equipment items you will find everything you need to survive for weeks at home. And if you do have to leave your house, it's better to pack an emergency backpack.

Conclusion

How do you prepare for an impending emergency and ensure that you have access to food if needed?

Make a plan and prepare!

The world is unpredictable and with the increase in natural disasters and other emergencies, it is important to be prepared.

It is essential to have a plan in case of an emergency.

But please only buy your food in household quantities, because other people also depend on it.

---