Thoughts about Ukraine?

[clodhopper]

That's not something they do overnight. It will take a minimum of a full growing season to take advantage of the situation. Farmers who know what's happening may be able to change their plans for spring planting but I suspect many of them won't because their fields aren't set up for wheat and many of them already have contracts in place for specific produce.

As I said, at most a one year issue. There are some that would normally need to already have it in the ground to make harvest. Others will seed later and still can make a switch. If the price spike is high enough, we would see lesser value crops turned under to reseed wheat if the grow season permits. Capitalism is an amazing thing when it comes to solving shortages.

[Eric P]

So farm subsidizing is not needed as farmers can set a price for starving countries and bypass the markets... Charge China 100x what they would charge domestically.

[bellavite1]

We're obviously worried about gas prices and reduction in supply due to Russian oil exports being hit. Which is valid. But there's another major issue.

Wheat.

Russia is the world's biggest wheat exporter in front of the US. Ukraine is the 5th biggest. Russia and Ukraine together account for 29% of global wheat exports. Together, they more than double US wheat exports.

That's basically going to go away during this war.

Now, China is saying their winter wheat crop is the worst on record. Down 20%. China isn't a wheat exporter, but their reduced domestic production is going to increase demand on wheat exports from other countries.

A global wheat shortage is coming and it's going to cause major problems. Not good.

WHAT ABOUT THE PIZZA?
WHAT ABOUT THE PASTA?
MAMMA MIA!!!

[hollohas]

I for one eat MANY products made from wheat. Love them all. Wheat is my jam.

Fortunately, I have plenty of wheat. And the equipment and experience to use it to feed my family. Including turning it into some fine pizza.

I'm more worried about how a shortage will affect the world. (affect? effect? whatever).

[ray1970]

I will need advice if I have to go gluten-free because of shortages.

I?m folically challenged so a man bun is out of the question but do I have to take up crossfit?

Will my toes get cold wearing sandals year round?

And the big question?.

Do I buy a Tacoma or just jump right in to some kind of electric vehicle?

[BushMasterBoy]

Ray just drink beer. Don't post about it. It will cause a beer shortage & WWIII

[Duman]

I suppose "leftist thinking" is one interpretation.

Alternatively, I could be looking back at all the times the war drums have been beaten over the past two decades, who was beating them, and where that has led geopolitically. I could be recognizing that the US has fomented two revolutions in Ukraine during that same time frame to oust elected governments that didn't suit us (hurray democracy). It could have occurred to me that really powerful people and their media shills have a financial interest in Ukraine that has nothing whatsoever to do with "democracy" or US national interests. And I would just like to see us opt out of involvement in this one. Not our circus, not our monkeys.

Good points.

[hollohas]

Ray just drink beer. Don't post about it. It will cause a beer shortage & WWIII

Hope you don't like wheat beer.

[Great-Kazoo]

Hope you don't like wheat beer.

I hear they're making a putin free one, now.

[Duman]

I hear they're making a putin free one, now.

Ouch