It might be time to cut back on the spaghetti carbonara… not because you need to watch the carbs, but to save on your grocery bill.
What happened: Stats Canada lowered its estimates for Canadian wheat production this year to 29.5 million tonnes, which would be the second-lowest total in eight years. It could present a 14% drop from last year’s bumper wheat crop due to droughts across the Prairies.
- Harvests of durum wheat—used to make pasta—will be hit particularly hard: Stats Canada sees yields dropping 26%, leading to the second-smallest crop in 12 years.
Why it matters: Canada accounts for about half of the world’s durum trade, making it easily the largest producer and exporter of the crop. A production shortage will lead to price increases both at home and abroad for pasta, a food item that is a pantry staple for millions.
- Pasta prices have already risen dramatically in Canada as of late. In July, pasta prices surged 10.1% month-over-month and 17.1% year-over-year. Mamma mia!
Zoom out: Unsurprisingly, Italy is poised to be the biggest victim of Canada’s poor harvest. In May, the Italian government called for a crisis meeting about rising pasta prices while consumer groups asked shoppers to go on a “pasta strike.”—QH