Think Food and Fuel Are Expensive? “You Haven’t Seen Anything Yet”
February 28th, 2008Mmm hmm. Maybe I need that Mmm hmm audio from Sling Blade on stories like this.
You best be stockpiling your French fried taters, “Mmm hmm.”
Via: CNN:
As anyone who’s been to the gas station or supermarket lately knows, the prices of fuel and food are on the rise.
And you haven’t seen anything yet, some experts say.
Gasoline now costs an average of $3.15 a gallon, seven cents shy of the record set last May, according to AAA.
But with crude oil prices setting a new trading high of $102.08 a barrel on Wednesday, it’s only a matter of time before drivers see it hit another record at the pump.
Within a few weeks, gas could cost $3.50 a gallon and, by spring, the price could hit $4 in some locations, said Peter Beutel, an oil analyst at the consultancy Cameron Hanover.
The high cost of gas is helping fuel a surge in food prices. Higher transportation expenses, along with growing demand for agricultural exports from the United States and increasing need for corn-based ethanol for gas supplies, has sent commodity costs soaring.
…
Though prices have been climbing for the last few years, consumers didn’t feel it as much in the past because their home values were soaring.
“But now, with housing prices having gone down, credit becoming tighter and prices of necessities like food and energy going up sharply, it’s created quite a squeeze on consumers’ disposable income,” said Maria Fiorini Ramirez, head of economic consulting firm MFR Inc.
…
“Consumers should build into their budgets continued increases,” Norris said.
Quote: “Consumers should build into their budgets continued increases,” Norris said.
….and just where am I supposed to get more $ for increases from? I’m sure my employer will get right on that, ha ha.
Star 42
What is it that you don’t get yet?
I don’t mean to sound like I’m putting you down, but you not being able to get more dollars to cover your costs is the plan, stan.
Uh. You know, move along sonny. We’ll take care of you in our concentration camp, oops I meant detention center, NO REALLY – we’re here to help you!
I’m expecting more PINK slips than handouts from employers coming soon to the theater nearest me soon. YAH (that’s my Norwegian accent).
And this article re prices is already outdated.
Mid grade gasoline in Pittsburgh, PA $3.31.
A pound of organic potatoes $7.99!
$91 to fill two carry on bags at the organic food store!
Food not being available already. And the food that is there, way to pricey for my pocketbook.
I’ve got some food stashed away for hard times, but sheesh. I didn’t expect to find myself even THINKING about visiting the storage food yet. But YIKES!
I have an extended “family” of about 20 that I’ve been thinking I might need to provide for.
Realizing lately, I can’t do that.
Hoo boy. I guess if they want food they’ll help me in the garden this year and BIG TIME.
I know, I know….I’m just saying that I’m already pretty well F’ed, and it’s still early in the collapse. Sucks to be poor and stuck in an apartment (no gardening options). It’s getting to the point where I should probably quit reading sites like this, because there’s nothing I can do about anything.
“China clean-up boosts chemical costs”
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23338067-643,00.html
‘CHINA’S effort to clean up its environment is affecting Australia’s farms, where herbicide and fertiliser prices are soaring and supplies are running short, putting this year’s bumper harvests atrisk.’
Again in Australia:
“Bumper crops at risk as fertiliser costs soar”
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23338865-11949,00.html
‘Some fertilisers and chemicals have doubled or tripled in price, and there are fears that in some cases there should be shortfalls that affect plantings.’
Best part of the article:
‘This summer, the Blacks have grown sorghum, a big-yield crop producing twice as much grain as wheat per hectare. That means it is also a high-input crop. “You have to put in the extra (fertiliser). You can’t get it out if you don’t put it in,” Mr Black said.
The Blacks are also conservation or zero-till farmers. Instead of ploughing the ground, they use herbicides and directly drill the seed into the ground, conserving moisture and preserving the soil structure.
It also means they are “enormous” users of glyphosate.’
Preserving the soil structure, eh? While killing everything in it…