There Might Be a Global Potato Shortage and We Are Not Okay

Sorry, what? No chippies?

Apparently, there’s a growing global potato shortage which is really not the news we needed in 2022.

Of course, it’s due to supply chain disruptions caused by old mate, corona, as well as extreme weather conditions.

According to The Washington Post, potatoes are just the latest victims of worldwide food scarcities after marmite and cream cheese also recently became hard to get your hands on around the globe.

The Washington Post reports that some Japanese McDonalds stores have stopped selling large and medium fries altogether because they just don’t have any spuds.

And, in South Africa, bad weather as well as global shortages have impacted the taters at KFC.

It’s a travesty.

Meanwhile, a little closer to home, while we may not be facing the possibility of no french fries just yet (phew), Australia is experiencing some food shortages in supermarkets.

Many of the shelves in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria are empty ATM because so many workers have COVID-19 or are being required to isolate as close contacts.

Woolworths Director of Stores, Jeanette Fenske, told Weekend Sunrise that more than 20 per cent of distribution centres (the workers transporting the food) were absent and more than 10 per cent of supermarket store staff were also off work.

To try and combat the supply shortage challenge, there are limits on some meat products in supermarkets across the country and Vic, NSW and Qld will make exceptions to let symptom-free close contacts get back to work.

Our fingers and toes are crossed that everyone stays safe, including our beloved chippies.

Read more about the goodness of potatoes here - 10 Nostalgic Aussie Snacks We All Wish Still Existed

Student Edge recommends maintaining a well-balanced diet. For more information, please visit www.heartfoundation.org.au.

Header Image: Polina Tankilevitch from Pexels