Pandemic fears & rising prices spurring countries to stockpile food – report

The coronavirus shopping frenzy

The coronavirus shopping frenzy has spilled over into government level as countries begin hoarding food amid fears that the pandemic’s effect on global supply chains could cause price hikes.

Nations dependent on food imports seem to be the most concerned about shortages of agricultural goods as the number of coronavirus infections continues to rise. For example, Egypt, the largest importer of wheat globally, increased purchases by almost 40 percent year-on-year between July and August. The country’s officials earlier told Reuters that Cairo wants to have sufficient “essential goods” for no less than six months as a preemptive measure in the light of the ongoing pandemic.

Continue reading https://on.rt.com/asho