Could We Have a Nationwide French Fry Shortage?
Yahoo Finance just released a report that has me heartbroken.
Hopefully you don't have an obsession with french fries like I do. If you love potatoes in all their wonderful forms, be ready to pay extra to get your spud fix.
There's speculation that we could have a french fry and mashed potato shortage due to the unusually wet and cold weather. The rare weather ruined potato crops in Idaho, North Dakota, Minnesota, and even some parts of Canada.
Due to the crops being ruined, we could be seeing a serious potato shortage that means your favorite side dish just got pricey.
According to Yahoo Finance, the weather is causing a world of stress for companies that purchase potatoes:
"An increase in fry-processing capacity in Canada has boosted demand. The combination will lead to tight supplies, and it’s likely that potato prices could climb this year across North America, Stephen Nicholson, a senior grains and oilseeds analyst at Rabobank, said in a phone interview. International costs may also rise as the U.S. won’t be able to export as much."
Maybe I will finally shed a few pounds and lay off of the spuds for awhile. This, of course, is my reminder to thank a farmer every chance I get. Imagine having your entire year revolve around a crop that is ruined because of moody mother nature. Prayers for their families, and we hope for a fabulous crop next year.