The skyrocketing price of peanut butter
Imagining a world where chocolate becomes a costly luxury is hard enough — but now peanut butter, too? The reliable sandwich spread is becoming problematic, thanks to a peanut shortage that’s sending prices skyrocketing. The cost of raw peanuts has nearly tripled. A look at the numbers behind this “scary” new development:
3.46 billion
Pounds of peanuts that will be harvested this year, down 17 percent from 2010
30
Years since the United States has experienced a peanut harvest this bad. Blame “high heat, strong winds, and bone-dry conditions,” say researchers from New Mexico State University.
$450
The cost of a ton of Runner peanuts in 2010
$1,150
The cost of a ton of Runner peanuts in 2011
Read more peanut butter facts at The Week.
Photo credit: Fotolia
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