What to Buy in Case of a Food Shortage in 2023

Ana's Food & Lifestyle
by Ana's Food & Lifestyle

We are going to go over what to buy in case of a food shortage, which is a topic in many people's minds lately. There are predicted food shortages in 2023, the foods that will be in demand and unavailable.


I've selected the foods I believe will be the genuine shortages this year. There are many things that influence the amount of food we have coming onto our shelves, and I've considered those things when choosing which foods will be affected by food shortages.

1. Grain

The first of the shortages is grain. Grain and wheat will be in short supply coming into this year, 2023.


2. Vegetable oil

Vegetable oil, like any other oil, has already experienced shortages since the middle of last year because of the conflict in Ukraine. We experienced gradual price increases; of course, they also included the price increases in olive oil.


There are still oils available, but they still have restrictions of three per person in Europe. However, we still are in the stage where we're getting stock from the previous year. This year's oil is from the last year's production. We should be hitting the oil shortages that will be happening very soon because the stock from this year is so low.


The shortages don't necessarily mean shelves are going to be empty. Items will still be on the shelf, but that doesn't mean there will be a lot of it there, and won't be affordable. A lot of times, shortages mean that the price is going to go through the roof.

Ears of corn

3. Corn

I've been buying corn on Amazon over the last year, and it's tripled in price. I haven't checked recently, but I know there's not much available. Prices are expensive now, and it's only going to get worse this year.


4. Butter

Because of inflation, lower milk production, and the increase in the feed price for cattle, it's only natural that milk and butter will skyrocket in price.


There were shortages and price increases on butter at the end of last year, and it's only going to get worse because of this lack of supply more so than anything else.


5. Champagne

This is not a particularly important one. However, it really irritated me last year. We have already experienced this where we live, as no cheap champagne is available.


The middle champagne also seemed to exit the shelf. So all we have at the moment are the expensive champagnes left. The reason is that from 2020 apparently, the Champagne Committee introduced a 25% cut on the production of champagne.


In many places like France, about 80% of the product stays in that country when they produce wines and champagnes. It's not the end of the world, but I was somewhat disappointed at Christmas when I wanted to have that champagne, and I wasn't able to get it.

Fresh tomatoes

6. Tomatoes

America had the worst drought, and there was a drought in many other countries. I read that tomatoes are going to be quite

scarce. In America, because of the weather, but in other countries, also because tomatoes are expensive to produce energy-wise.


As far as tomatoes are concerned, it's not just the fresh fruit, but all the canned products and pasta sauces.


7. Canned goods

The next thing is canned goods. Tin and aluminum to make the cans have been in shortage for quite a while. The price of tinfoil has also increased.


A shortage of tin and aluminum will indicate that you might not be able to get canned goods or beer easily.


8. Beer

Beer is also affected by an apparent shortage of CO2. So if there is going to be a shortage of CO2 and you can't drink beer, then what are you going to do? I suppose we're going to move on and drink something else instead.

Cooked beef

9. Beef

The predictions were for beef prices to increase by almost sixfold. Again, it's not going to be a total shortage. I doubt we're going to see empty shelves of beef because the price is going to be through the roof.


So shelves are not going to be empty, but beef is going to be unaffordable for most people. Also, as farmers close down their farms and there are fewer farmers, there is a reduction in meat production. It's only natural that the prices will be through the roof, and you will see limitations on the amount available.


10. Chicken and pork

Once beef prices increase or amounts are reduced, the next thing will be chicken and pork. The prices on that will be increasing and, of course, will have limited availability too.


11. Flour

If you're wondering what to buy in case of a food shortage, flour is on the list. If you bake often, then stock up on flour but be sure that you store it properly.

What to buy in case of a food shortage

12. Salt

Another thing I wanted to mention is salt. The news has been talking about the difficulty of mining salt. We're not talking about sea salt, we're talking about ordinary rock salt, and apparently, there's something about the mining process that means we're not going to have enough salt or prices will increase.


13. Chickpeas

I read about an issue with chickpeas because of the weather that we had last year. Chickpeas have already been relatively difficult to find. Many shoppers in America and the UK say they find it challenging to get chickpeas.


What to buy in case of a food shortage

This list summarizes what to buy to prepare for food shortages. For some of those things, we may be able to recover and not experience shortages. However, as a prepper, I want to be prepared.


Are you stocking up to prepare for food shortages? Let us know how you're preparing in the comments below.

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  • Clergylady Clergylady on Mar 30, 2023

    I grow green onions. Egyptian walking and seeded varieties. Once started you need never run out again. I also dry them. Same with garlic in assorted varieties and slicing onions. I save seed and bulblets for the next crop. Drying keeps them indefinatly for cooking with. Same with many fruits and vegetables. I've also added more grapes, berries, and fruit trees to the property. Some will produce as early as this year. Others will produce within 3 or 4 years. It's an investment. I also start some from seed. Those will take longer but look to future. I've been planting more perennial things that will produce for years to come with care and planning. 3 year old Asperigus crowns plus new seeds, rhubarb, and artichokes are good examples of those. I'm setting out 75 strawberries this spring. Those will produce for several years but also make new runners with new plants. With minimal care and protection they will last longer than me. ( I'm 76) I've added 3 apples, 1 crabapple, 4 pears, 3 bush cherries, 2 plums, 3 blackberries, 6 raspberries, 75 strawberries, and 4 grapes to what was here. I'll also be moving some wild plums, cherries, and gooseberries from my other property to a wash area below the fruit trees. I'll use them to stop or slow erosion and produce fruit for jelly making. I grow fodder inside a fenced part of the chicken yard. Close it off in spring so plants can get established. Then open for the chickens to forage as they want. Much reseeds for the next year. Just protect it for a few weeks each spring to get reestablished. An occasional spray of water is enough to keep it going the rest of the year. It's a mix of brassica and grains. Chickens love it and it cuts down on buying feed and is easy care. I'm always looking for ways to save on hard work too. Age will eventually catch us all. Work smarter, not harder. My rabbits can also graze there a while each day. The area is well enclosed with horse panels and chicken wire. A few chickens and a pair of rabbits are sufficient for 2 great grandparents. By this fall there will be berries for canning, freezing, drying, jellies, and selling or trades. 3 older fruit trees are already producing.

    I grind some of my own flours and corn meal. But buy some as well. Could grow a bit more I guess.

    • DIANE WEISS DIANE WEISS on May 09, 2023

      I have learned a lot from this posting. Thank you so much. I'm 69 and need to start thinking of these things to do. I'm asking Hubby to plant some fruit trees this year. Definitely growing tomato plants (deer ate our tomatoes last year)

      I'll try asparagus , artichokes, and rhubarb. I'm excited to start this now !! I have a lot of canning jars in basement. Guess I'm going to be learning to can. I like your thinking. 🍓🍎

  • Ellen Ellen on Apr 23, 2023

    i'm so jealous!. I had to give up my house and garden due to health reasons and now live in an apartment. So enjoy yours and keep it going. 🙂

    • Teri Vinson Teri Vinson on Jul 17, 2023

      Ellen. I am not in an apartment yet, but might as well be. Healthwise, I am unable to get much done. I have tried to buy extra when I can, using my foodsaver and getting canned goods. Don't know if it will help with all the dire predictions.

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