Climatologist, Peter Thorne warns of grain shortages this winter. Throne said that grain stock would be "hugely expensive" during the winter and it could affect the food security of both animals and people (Hoare, 2022).
The Climatologist is worried about the drastic changing conditions we are experiencing throughout the world for example, India who has gone from a very warm country to a country experiencing high levels of flooding due to the monsoon affecting the food production and food security of the country (Hoare, 2022).
When talking about Europe, Thorne said he is worrying about the warming conditions the continent is experiencing and how it will affect agricultural systems and production. Thorne mentions that his biggest concern is international conflicts (i.e the Russian-Ukrainian conflict) and how it will affect feed stock for the winter. This is especially important for Ireland where Hoare (2022) notes that Ireland imports a large proportion of their animal feedstock and these shortages could have a knock on effect for "human consumption". Thorne also notes that the shortages of grain are going to cause huge price hikes however this trend will also be notable for other food sources. Thorne "expect(s) human food inflation to be running north of 10 per cent" while he mentions he is unsure at what grain stocks will be running at (Hoare, 2022).
Pat McDonagh also discusses his fear of shortages this winter admits the Ukrainian and Russian conflict. McDonagh and Superman's chain chief highlights that he would be concerned that "there could be a little bit of a scarcity of food towards the end of the winter up towards December." while he recommends the public to "buy a bit of long-life food earlier on" (Surve, 2022).
No doubt that the Ukrainian Russian war is having an impact globally but this time it is hitting home.
Bibliography
HOARE, P. 2022. Grain SHortage could cause Food Crisis in Ireland by the Winter. [Online]. Irish Examiner. Available: https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40904315.html [Accessed 25/08/2022].
SURVE, A. 2022. Supermacs Chief Fears Food Shortages could Hit Ireland this Winter. [Online]. DublinLive. Available: https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/supermacs-chief-fears-food-shortages-24607277[Accessed 25/08/2022].