One would tend to think that the largest company, possessing a supply chain that is the envy of the civilized world, and located in supposedly the richest and most formidable country on the planet, would ever ever ever have any trouble acquiring sufficient quantities of a basic food staple such as rice.
Is this a red flag or what - VHF
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Wal-Mart's Sam's Club Limits Rice Purchases
Wed Apr 23, 2008 2:12pm EDT
By Nicole Maestri
NEW YORK, April 23 (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc's Sam's Club warehouse division said on Wednesday it is limiting sales of several types of rice, the latest sign that fears of a rice shortage are rippling around the world.
Sam's Club, the No. 2 U.S. warehouse club operator, said it is limiting sales of Jasmine, Basmati and long grain white rice "due to recent supply and demand trends."U.S. rice futures hitting an all-time high Wednesday on worries about supply shortages.
On Tuesday, Costco Wholesale Corp, the largest U.S. warehouse club operator, said it has seen increased demand for items like rice and flour as customers, worried about global food shortages and rising prices, stock up.