Transcript for:
Prepare for Grocery Shortages by 2025

hey there your grocery shopping is about to get way more complicated by May 2025 that's just weeks away 10 common items might vanish from your storeshelves completely i'm not making this up global supply chains are breaking down as we speak extreme weather is destroying crops worldwide and international conflicts are blocking crucial shipping routes did you know that prices for some of these items have already jumped 40% in just the last 2 months this isn't some far-off problem it's happening right now but here's the thing if you know what's coming you can prepare while everyone else panics in the grocery aisles you'll already have alternatives lined up in this video I'm breaking down exactly which 10 items are about to disappear why it's happening and what you can do about it this isn't about hoarding it's about being smart stay with me to the end because the last item on this list will shock you and it's probably sitting in your pantry right now let's dive in before it's too late number one coffee your morning coffee is about to become a luxury item and no that's not an exaggeration it's the reality we're heading toward fast right now global coffee production is under intense pressure and if you think this won't affect what's on the shelves in May think again brazil the world's largest supplier of coffee beans is in trouble their coffee belt has been hit by an unrelenting combination of drought heat waves and irregular rainfall these aren't minor issues they've led to actual crop failures some regions are producing 40% less coffee than they did just a couple of years ago and it's not just Brazil vietnam the top producer of robusta beans used in instant coffee is struggling with depleted water reserves and extreme temperatures add in rising fertilizer costs labor shortages and political instability in other growing countries like Colombia and Ethiopia and you've got a perfect storm that's squeezing the coffee supply chain from every direction but here's the real kicker demand isn't slowing down if anything it's increasing more people are working from home brewing their own coffee and turning to caffeine as a daily lifeline so what happens when supply drops and demand grows prices go up fast analysts are predicting price spikes of 30% or more by summer and we're already seeing premium beans doubling in cost in some US cities now imagine trying to buy your usual brand in May only to find an empty shelf or a $20 price tag staring back at you and let's not forget shipping disruptions coffee is one of those global commodities that relies heavily on a stable supply chain port delays fuel hikes and container shortages all mean fewer beans are making it to your local store even if your favorite roast isn't out of stock it might be sitting in a cargo hold stuck at sea for weeks so what can you do first start stocking up now freeze-dried coffee and vacuum-sealed whole beans can last for months sometimes even years if stored properly second consider alternative sources local roasters or regional brands may have better supply lines than bigname imports and third limit your daily intake now to stretch your current stock because your future self might be sipping less and spending more we take coffee for granted but if you wait until May to act you might find yourself staring at an empty shelf and a very sleepy morning number two olive oil let's talk about olive oil something you probably use almost every day without thinking twice what if I told you this kitchen essential is on the verge of becoming a luxury item over the past year the Mediterranean particularly Spain and Italy has faced some of the worst drought conditions in recorded history these regions are not just small players they are the heart of global olive oil production spain alone accounts for nearly half of the world's olive oil exports but in 2024 their harvest dropped by over 50% and early projections for 2025 show no signs of recovery the soil is dry trees are stressed and yields are shrinking the reality there simply aren't enough olives to go around that's not just a supply issue it's a global ripple effect wholesalers are paying premium prices just to secure minimum quantities supermarkets are slashing orders even major brands are quietly reformulating blends with lower grade oils or cutting production altogether to survive the shortages in some regions the price of extra virgin olive oil has doubled and we're just getting started so what does that mean for you if olive oil is something you use regularly whether for cooking dressings or meal prepping this is your early warning prices are climbing fast and supply is tightening don't wait until you walk into the store and see a sign that says "Limit one per customer now is the time to stock up look for dark glass bottles or metal cans they protect the oil from light and extend its shelf life and always store them in a cool dark pantry away from heat properly stored olive oil can last up to 2 years without losing quality and if you can't find olive oil or it becomes too expensive don't panic there are solid alternatives avocado oil is a great substitute for sautéing or frying it's rich high heat stable and has a neutral taste coconut oil lasts long stores well and is great for baking or cooking and sunflower oil though lighter in nutrients is still widely available and budget friendly for now here's the deal once people catch wind that olive oil is disappearing they'll start panic buying that's when shelves go empty and prices shoot even higher you don't want to be reacting when that happens you want to be ready before it does if you've already noticed your local stores limiting stock or you've seen prices quietly creeping up drop a comment below let us know where you're seeing it because your insight helps the rest of the community stay ahead of the curve and trust me in times like these staying ahead is everything number three rice that bowl of rice you enjoy with dinner it might become a luxury by May 2025 the everyday staple that feeds half the world's population is facing a crisis that's brewing right under our noses rice production across Asia is collapsing right now thailand India and Vietnam who supply over 60% of the world's rice are facing catastrophic harvest failures what's really scary is how quickly this happened just 14 months ago officials were predicting surplus harvests now emergency meetings are being held weekly by agricultural ministers across Southeast Asia extreme flooding in Thailand destroyed nearly 30% of their rice fields last season i'm talking about entire provinces underwater for weeks the images are heartbreaking generations of family farms completely wiped out meanwhile India just extended their rice export ban for another full year they're keeping what little they have for their own people that's 40 million tons of rice suddenly off the global market poof gone overnight vietnam can't pick up the slack either their Meong Delta the country's rice bowl is dealing with the worst saltwater intrusion in decades when saltwater pushes inland it kills rice crops instantly local farmers told researchers they've never seen anything like it fields that have produced rice for centuries are now barren what makes this perfect storm even worse global demand for rice is skyrocketing with wheat prices soaring millions of people worldwide are switching to rice as their main grain food banks in America report rice requests are up 85% since last year everyone wants it and there's simply not enough to go around china just placed their largest ever rice import order buying up 2.5 million tons from available global supplies they're not taking chances with food security and honestly neither should you when China makes moves this big the entire market feels it american rice won't save us either california's production is down 20% from drought while Louisiana and Texas farmers are switching to more profitable crops i spoke with a third generation rice farmer in Arkansas who told me half his neighbors have already switched to soybeans the economics just don't make sense anymore he said "Here's what you need to do right now stock up on alternative grains like quinoa barley and pharaoh they'll stay affordable longer as everyone rushes for rice bulgar wheat makes an amazing rice substitute in most dishes i've been using it for months and honestly prefer the nutty flavor now and if you must have rice buy a sealed container and some dry storage bags today properly stored rice can last 2 3 years long enough to weather this shortage just keep it cool dry and away from pests i keep mine in glass containers with oxygen absorbers simple but effective don't wait until prices double again they've already jumped 37% since January and will only get worse from here i've watched people arguing over the last bags of jasmine rice at my local store don't be caught in that situation prepare now while you still can number four certain fish species your favorite seafood dishes could soon be just a memory fish hash 4 on our shortage list isn't just one type we're talking about several popular varieties you buy every week wild salmon almost gone according to recent fishing reports catches have dropped by an alarming 35% just since January ocean temperatures have risen 2.3° in key fishing grounds forcing salmon to migrate to unfamiliar waters the Alaskan fisheries that once supplied most of North America are reporting their worst season in 30 years fishermen who've worked these waters for generations are selling their boats because they simply can't make a living anymore but that's not even the worst part tuna populations have collapsed in the Pacific with yellow fin stocks down nearly a jaw-dropping 60% from last year commercial fishing fleets are returning with nets half empty some of Japan's largest seafood companies have already declared force majour on their contracts basically admitting they can't fulfill orders no matter what and if you think farmed fish will save us think again those operations depend on wild caught fish for feed creating a vicious cycle we can't escape and those frozen cod fillets you rely on for quick weekn night dinners major retailers are already limiting purchases to two packages per customer in some regions i spoke with a grocery store manager last week who told me he's getting less than a third of his normal cod shipments he's been in the business 22 years and says he's never seen anything like this the problem is twofold we're over fishing at record rates while ocean temperatures keep climbing fish simply can't adapt fast enough their breeding grounds are shrinking their food sources are disappearing and we're still dragging massive nets through what remains marine biologists warned us this was coming but nobody expected it this soon a study published just last month found microplastics in 94% of all commercial fish samples another stressor these populations simply can't handle which specific fish should you stock up on now definitely grab canned tuna frozen salmon and any cod products you can find these will be the hardest to source by May those fancy salmon fililelets that currently cost $12.99 per pound expect to pay north of $30 if you can find them at all farmraised tilapia and catfish will still be available but expect prices to double as everyone scrambles for alternatives i've already started buying an extra can of tuna each shopping trip nothing crazy just preparing smartly don't wait on this one when these fish disappear from shelves they won't return anytime soon the ocean ecosystem needs years not months to recover and here's a tip nobody's talking about look for sustainable alternatives now like lion fish or Asian carp these invasive species are actually healthy for us to harvest and they taste surprisingly good when prepared right number five avocados once a trendy toast topper now potentially one of the first casualties of the ongoing food supply crunch if you've noticed them getting pricier at the store you're not imagining it california's avocado farmers are battling brutal drought conditions with water allocations being slashed across the board this isn't just a bad season it's a structural problem as of early 2025 the state has reported a 30% drop in yield compared to last year and some farms have already pulled entire groves out of production to save on water costs and if you think we can just lean on imports from Mexico think again avocados coming through the US Mexico border are facing increased delays due to tighter inspections and escalating safety issues in major growing regions cartel related disruptions and labor shortages are slowing down shipments creating a bottleneck just as US supply is collapsing and let's talk price analysts from Rabo Bank are warning of a potential 40 to 60% surge in avocado prices by midy year that's not a gradual increase that's sticker shock for families trying to eat healthy or stick to keto or plant-based diets avocados are a staple losing access to them that's not just inconvenient that's a real nutrition gap so what can you do here's your action step buy them now while they're still available and affordable ripe avocados can be diced vacuum sealed and frozen and yes they hold up surprisingly well for things like smoothies guacamole or spreads you don't have to give up your healthy fats but you do need to plan ahead because if you wait until May you might be staring at an empty produce bin and wondering why you didn't act sooner number six certain spices let's talk about spices not exactly what comes to mind when we talk about prepping right but here's the truth spices are one of the most vulnerable categories in the entire grocery store and the reasons why they're at risk right now are stacking up fast first more than 70% of the world's spice trade relies on just a handful of countries India Vietnam Indonesia and China when those countries face droughts floods or political instability the ripple effects are immediate and that's exactly what's happening india for example saw a 35% drop in turmeric production last season due to unseasonal rains and poor soil recovery meanwhile shipping delays in Vietnam have slowed pepper exports to a crawl even spices like cumin and coriander which were once cheap and abundant are being affected by unpredictable weather patterns and fuel shortages in their regions but it's not just about farming spices are low priority freight meaning when global shipping is backed up like it is now food manufacturers prioritize essentials like grains and dairy first that means spice containers are often left behind delayed or even cancelled outright add in inflation trade tariffs and energy costs you're looking at a quiet storm that could wipe out entire shelves without warning so what should you do about it start with the essentials stock up on black pepper turmeric cumin cinnamon and cloves these are not only disappearing faster but are also key to flavoring shelf stable meals like beans rice and canned goods if you cook at home or prep in bulk losing access to these can seriously reduce your meal variety and morale some spices also have anti-inflammatory and medicinal properties like turmeric and cloves something many preppers already value in long-term wellness plans here's spices might not keep you alive but they'll keep you sane and sanity is a prep most people forget so if you've got the shelf space this is your cue grab extras now while they're still cheap before the May price spike hits and hey don't wait until you're staring at a $9 jar of black pepper thinking "I should have listened to that video." Cocoa chocolate products your chocolate fix is about to get a whole lot harder to satisfy number seven on our list is something that might break your heart cocoa and chocolate products did you know that 70% of the world's cocoa comes from just four countries in West Africa and right now they're facing a perfect storm of disasters ghana and Ivory Coast the biggest producers are seeing the worst drought in 30 years cocoa trees are literally dying by the thousands farmers I've spoken with say they've lost up to 40% of their crops already but it gets worse labor shortages have hit critical levels young people are leaving these farming communities for cities and who can blame them cocoa farming pays barely $1 a day in some regions here's the shocking part chocolate companies have known this collapse was coming for years but did almost nothing to prevent it what does this mean for you by May expect chocolate prices to jump by at least 60% premium chocolate bars that cost $3 today will hit $5 or more and those special chocolate products with high cocoa content they'll be the first to disappear the hardest items to find will be dark chocolate cocoa powder and chocolate chips for baking if you've got holiday traditions that require these items stock up now while you still can some chocolate experts are even saying this could be the beginning of chocolate becoming a luxury item again like it was hundreds of years ago don't wait on this one grab your favorite chocolate products now especially dark chocolate which can stay good for over a year if stored properly number eight citrus fruits your morning glass of orange juice it might become a luxury you can't afford citrus fruits are facing a crisis unlike anything we've seen in decades the devastating citrus greening disease has already destroyed over 70% of Florida's orange groves since 2005 and now it's spreading faster than ever what many people don't realize is that this disease also called hang long bing or HLB doesn't just affect oranges it's threatening all citrus varieties from grapefruits to tangerines this bacterial infection spread by tiny insects called Asian citrus celids basically gives trees a terminal illness once infected trees produce bitter misshapen fruit before dying completely and here's the scary part there's still no cure scientists have spent billions on research but effective treatments remain elusive i talked to a Florida farmer last week who told me he's lost 90% of his trees in just 3 years climate change isn't helping either the severe frost that hit California last winter damaged nearly 30% of the lemon crop overnight sending prices soaring by 15% in a single week meanwhile record heat waves in Spain and Italy have stressed Mediterranean citrus production to the breaking point these aren't just isolated weather events they're part of a new pattern that's decimating global citrus production supply chains can usually compensate by sourcing from different regions but not this time all major citrus producing regions worldwide are facing problems simultaneously brazil typically the world's largest orange juice producer is reporting its lowest harvest in 35 years due to prolonged drought even indoor growing operations can't scale quickly enough to meet demand by February you'll notice fewer oranges and higher prices come March lemons and limes will become scarce remember the great lime shortage of 2014 when prices quadrupled this will be worse and by May 2025 expect to pay triple what you're paying now for any citrus fruits if you can find them at all food manufacturers are already quietly reformulating products to use less citrus what can you do stock up on vitamin C supplements now before everyone else has the same idea consider growing a small indoor citrus tree if you have the space meer lemons do surprisingly well indoors with proper care and start experimenting with alternatives like sumac or vinegar for recipes that call for lemon juice i've started freezing lemon zest and juice in ice cube trays each cube equals about a tablespoon perfect for cooking later this citrus crisis won't last forever but the next 8 12 months will be rough the industry is adapting with new resistant varieties and growing techniques but these solutions take time plan accordingly and remember this shortage doesn't just affect your breakfast table it impacts thousands of farming families who've lost their livelihoods if you find citrus at reasonable prices consider it a rare find in these challenging times number nine wheat products your morning toast gone your favorite pasta vanishing wheat products are facing a crisis like we've never seen before ukraine and Russia which together produce nearly 30% of the world's wheat exports are still locked in conflict but here's what most people don't realize new sanctions just implemented last month have cut exports by another 15% the ripple effects are hitting every continent with food security experts warning this is just the beginning of a global wheat crisis that could last years not months at the same time record droughts have hit the American wheat belt hard kansas wheat production is down 47% compared to last year fields that should be golden are turning brown and brittle i've spoken with farmers who say they've never seen anything like it third generation wheat farmers watching their family legacy literally dry up before their eyes many are abandoning wheat altogether for more droughtresistant crops further reducing supply canada's not doing any better their wheat harvest just hit a 20-year low after those massive wildfires last summer the smoke damage affected soil quality in ways scientists are still trying to understand with some fields showing unusual pH levels that make wheat cultivation nearly impossible without expensive remediation what does this mean for you bread prices have already jumped 22% since January by May expect to pay double if you can find it at all i noticed it myself last week three stores in my area completely sold out of flour by noon people are panic buying which is making the shortage even worse pasta won't be spared either major brands are already quietly reducing package sizes while keeping prices the same that box of spaghetti that used to be 16 o check again many are now 12 o or less it's called shrinkflation and it's happening right under our noses some manufacturers are also changing their recipes mixing in cheaper grains without updating their packaging so that pasta might not even cook the same way you're used to the restaurant industry is feeling it too i spoke with three local bakeries last week who've had to raise prices by 30% just to stay afloat one owner told me she's considering closing her doors after 15 years because customers simply can't afford $8 loaves of bread pizza places are thinning their crusts and raising prices simultaneously here's what you need to do consider stocking up on flour now it stores well in airtight containers for up to a year if kept cool and dry or explore alternatives like cassava flour almond flour or chickpea pasta they might taste different but your body will adjust i've been experimenting with cauliflower crust pizza and coconut flour pancakes honestly after a couple of weeks you barely notice the difference you might also want to invest in a small grain mill they're selling out fast as people realize they can buy whole wheat berries which store for years and grind their own flour as needed it's more work but it gives you food security when others are struggling the wheat shortage isn't temporary this is our new reality climate models predict the American wheat belt will shift northward over the next decade but agricultural adaptation takes time meanwhile global demand continues to rise as developing nations adopt more westernstyle diets the question is will you be prepared when others are scrambling number 10 certain dairy products got milk you might not for much longer dairy products are facing a perfect storm that could make some of your favorites nearly impossible to find by May butter prices have already shot up 28% since January and that's just the beginning the dairy crisis is hitting fast and hard affecting everything from your morning coffee to your favorite baked goods here's why production costs are absolutely skyrocketing farmers are paying double for feed compared to last year with corn and soy prices hitting record highs due to global shortages energy costs to run dairy farms have increased by nearly 35% forcing smaller operations to shut down completely and devastating droughts have dried up grazing lands across major dairy regions like California Wisconsin and even international suppliers in New Zealand what many people don't realize is that dairy cows require specific temperature ranges to produce milk efficiently with extreme heat waves becoming more common milk production per cow has dropped by an average of 17% in affected regions farmers are spending thousands on cooling systems just to keep their herds comfortable enough to produce but that's not all the supply chain is literally breaking down at every level we've lost over 2,000 small dairy farms in just the past 6 months with multi-generation family operations closing their doors for good refrigerated transport costs have jumped 42% due to fuel prices making it unprofitable to ship dairy products to certain regions and processing plants are operating at just 60% capacity because of worker shortages and equipment delays when a crucial piece of machinery breaks down replacement parts are taking three four months to arrive instead of weeks which items will disappear first heavy cream is already becoming scarce in many regions with stores limiting purchases to one carton per customer specialty cheeses like imported Parmesan and Griier might be completely gone by April as European producers face their own crises and export restrictions and organic milk forget about it production is down 31% and falling fast with strict organic certification requirements making it nearly impossible for farmers to quickly increase supply even basic yogurts and cottage cheese are showing alarming signs of supply problems warehouse stocks are at their lowest levels in 15 years and major manufacturers have quietly discontinued certain varieties to focus on their best sellers check the dairy case at your store you'll notice certain flavors and sizes have already vanished what can you do consider plant-based alternatives now before everyone else makes the switch and those become scarce too oat milk sales have increased 213% this year alone and production can't keep up stock up on powdered milk for emergencies it lasts years and works perfectly for cooking and if you see butter on sale grab it and freeze it it'll keep for months pro tip portion it into smaller containers before freezing so you only thaw what you need the dairy aisle you know today will look completely different by summer prices will continue to climb selection will shrink and those temporarily out of stock signs will become permanent fixtures don't wait until the shelves are empty to make your plan your morning coffee and weekend pancakes depend on it so there you have it 10 grocery items that will become incredibly hard to find by May 2025 these shortages aren't happening overnight but they're accelerating faster than experts predicted coffee and olive oil will likely be the first to disappear with significant shortages appearing in the next 4 6 weeks rice avocados and citrus will follow by late April and by May expect to see empty shelves where chocolate wheat products certain fish spices and dairy used to be but don't panic being prepared is different from panicking start by gradually building a small reserve of non-p perishable items you use regularly consider exploring alternative foods now before you're forced to plant-based milk options ancient grains like kinoa instead of rice and local seasonal produce can help you adapt for items with longer shelf lives like coffee olive oil and certain spices it makes sense to stock up now while prices are still reasonable just don't go overboard buy what you'll actually use most importantly diversify your diet this is actually a perfect opportunity to try new foods and recipes that don't rely on these vulnerable ingredients you might discover new favorites that are more sustainable and affordable in the long run if you found this information helpful please hit that like button and subscribe for more practical advice on navigating these challenging times drop a comment below with your own tips for dealing with these shortages we're all in this together remember those who prepare calmly today won't have to panic tomorrow thanks for watching and I'll see you in the next