Are other countries having shortages?

[Morning Glory]

I was just wondering if the baby formula and now tampon shortages are unique to the US, or if other rich countries are also having the same problems with supply chains and distribution. I know this sort of instability has always existed in poor countries.

[SunnyDays]

Baby formula was also in short supply here in Canada.  Don't know about tampons - I'm past that stage, thank God.

But yes, supply chain shortages for all kinds of products is definitely a thing here too.

[alsoknownasDean]

Yes we are having shortages, but of different items.

A big shortage of lettuce means they're $10 each in stores and KFC is now using cabbage in their burgers.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2022-06-08/lettuce-shortage-continues-and-fruit-and-vegetable-prices-rise/101133906

That's mostly due to floods earlier in the year in growing areas.

There's also been electricity price spikes due in part to failing power stations and high gas/coal prices, along with a recent cold snap, to the point where people in some states (mainly NSW) have been asked to minimise usage in peak times.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-16/electricity-market-suspended-amid-record-power-prices/101156530

[uniwelder]

I think the baby formula shortage is kind of unique to the US because there are only 4 producers (imports strictly controlled) and one was forced to shut down its plant.

[daverobev]

Sunflower oil was unsurprisingly in short supply, and now has a) a sign up saying no more than 3 bottles per customer and b) has doubled in price, from €1.70 or so to €3.40 a litre in the last couple of months.

[ixtap]

Sunflower oil was unsurprisingly in short supply, and now has a) a sign up saying no more than 3 bottles per customer and b) has doubled in price, from €1.70 or so to €3.40 a litre in the last couple of months.

I am kind of surprised we haven't seen more edible oil shortages. I know if a vegan ice cream place that shut down for this, but given that palm oil exports have been limited to make sure that the locals have cooking oils, seems like we should be seeing even more effects than we are.

[uniwelder]

Sunflower oil was unsurprisingly in short supply, and now has a) a sign up saying no more than 3 bottles per customer and b) has doubled in price, from €1.70 or so to €3.40 a litre in the last couple of months.

That makes sense because the majority of sunflowers are grown in Russia and Ukraine.

[daverobev]

Sunflower oil was unsurprisingly in short supply, and now has a) a sign up saying no more than 3 bottles per customer and b) has doubled in price, from €1.70 or so to €3.40 a litre in the last couple of months.

That makes sense because the majority of sunflowers are grown in Russia and Ukraine.

Indeed. And it's a global market. The fact that I'm surrounded by sunflower fields is testament to that (though I know nothing about it - are there 'grades' of sunflowers - some used for oil and others used for..???).