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Stockpile and Hoard NOW! Part 1 (updated)
By JD Bluefield | April 25, 2008
Unless you’re a new reader, you know that I’m all for buying in bulk, stockpiling and hedging everyday consumer goods. I briefly touched on buying canned goods in that article to fight inflation and emergency provisions (i.e. natural disaster), but there is a bigger issue on the horizon that should inspire you to begin stockpiling other types of food, if you haven’t already.
There is a hidden crisis emerging that has been overshadowed by the housing, gasoline and credit crisis. We all know that there are third world countries with scarce food supplies, but here’s a mind blower, World powers and even secondary nations are also experiencing a food crisis. Japan is currently running low on basic staples like wheat and butter. Here is a quote from the article.
Everywhere I went there were notices saying Japan has run out of butter… …While soaring food prices have triggered rioting among the starving millions of the third world, in wealthy Japan they have forced a pampered population to contemplate the shocking possibility of a long-term — perhaps permanent — reduction in the quality and quantity of its food… …In the wake of the decision this week by Kazakhstan, the world’s fifth biggest wheat exporter, to join Russia, Ukraine and Argentina in stopping exports to satisfy domestic demand, the situation in Japan is expected to worsen.
The article goes on to explain that with these countries keeping more wheat to feed their own people, and China (#1 importer of wheat) and India consuming more and more, Japan is being left high and dry. India used to be a net exporter, but now reportedly imports over 10M tonnes per year.
Top Wheat Exporters
#1 United States … 31.6 M Tonnes
#2 Australia … 18.5 M tonnes
#3 Canada … 15.1 M tonnes
#4 France … 14.9 M tonnes
#5 Argentina … 10 M tonnes
#6 Russia … 4.7 M tonnes
#7 Germany … 3.9 M tonnes
#8 United Kingdom … 2.5 M tonnes
#9 Kazakhstan … 2.4 M tonnes
#10 India … 2 M tonnes
Top Wheat Importers
#1 China … 7.2 M tonnes
#2 Japan … 5.5 M tonnes
#3 Italy … 6.5 M tonnes
#4 Algeria … 5 M tonnes
#5 Brazil … 4.8 M tonnes
#6 Indonesia … 4.5 M tonnes
#7 Spain … 4.4 M tonnes
#8 Egypt … 4.4 M tonnes
#9 Mexico … 3.6 M tonnes
#10 South Korea … 3.4 M tonnes
Source: InternationalTrade
Brazil, #5 importer of wheat, has reportedly stopped producing flour as a result of Argentina, its major supplier of wheat, halting exports. Brazil has now sought wheat from Canada and the US to augment the short term wheat supplies, according to MSN Australia.
What does this mean for you in the US? Well, obviously, increasing demand from outside countries on US/Canadian wheat will only drive up prices here at home. Don’t thinks so? Check out this article from MarketWatch.com. It basically states that, Costco and Sam’s Club have now limited the sale of items like rice and flour. They’re preparing for what’s to come.
Sadly this still isn’t on anyone’s radar, but if you’re smart, I’d head down to Costco or Sam’s Club, pick up a big bag or two and store it. The last thing you want is to be stuck behind a crowd, (think pre and post-hurricane, flood, or power-outage) when people really start talking about this. I’ve heard there are two really good ways to store rice and grains long term:
- The best way to prolong storage: Empty food into large food-grade plastic bags, fill with Nitrogen, seal bag, place into another bag, then vacuum seal. The Nitrogen displaces food-spoiling oxygen and kill any suffocates any insects present in the food. (Warning: Do not attempt this unless you have experience in the food packaging industry, have access to large quantities of Nitrogen and are in a well ventilated area… pretty much, unless you’re crazy, move on to Method 2.)
- The easiest way is to just put the bag of rice into a big trash bag, squeeze out the air and tie off the end. Repeat with another bag, then place into a large plastic container and store in a cool-dry area in the house. The plastic bags will keep out as much oxygen as possible and the plastic container keeps rodents and pests away. The plastic container also helps for stacking and storing.
So the news will not outright tell you to stockpile rice, for fear of causing mass hysteria, but it is something to key in on. Today they’re only putting limits on certain specialty rice, but I’d stock up on the main staples like rice, flour, can goods and water soon. I’m not an anarchist and I won’t walk around with “The End Is Near” signs, but I will say that it is best to be prepared in case of food shortages. I don’t stockpile for Armageddon, I stockpile so I don’t have to run out when these things happen.
Don’t stupid stockpile, Engineer you’re stockpile: I’ve seen people in F-150s with a bed full of rice bags, now, that’s just silly and going overboard. Simply pick up an extra bag or two over your normal. Eat one, store one. Next time you go out, pick up another one. Space out your purchases to keep them from expiring simultaneously.
If you live in Hawaii, as I do, you’ll be more prone to these food shortages and food price inflation due to our reliance on imported food, just like Japan.
Besides rice and wheat, there are many everyday foods that you can buy and stockpile. More on that first thing Tomorrow!
Topics: Engineered Living |
2 Responses to “Stockpile and Hoard NOW! Part 1 (updated)”
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April 25th, 2008 at 6:29 am
There is another way to store rice or other gains that can oxidize. You can use a sealable food grade container or two or more food grade plastic bags. Place your rice in the container and then put dry ice on the top. Place the lid on the top without sealing it. Let the dry ice turn to gas. Carbon dioxide is heavier than air and will displace it in the container. Without opening the lid, seal the container. Use the same idea with plastic bags.
April 30th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I think most people will not go through the trouble to even get dry ice, even though it is relatively inexpensive.