Here is a interesting video of the risks we have mentioned here several times: that when markets are high prices, the adulteration temptation grows.
Check this out:
27 March 2008
22 March 2008
Artichoke Prices are Showing Up... Sort of...
The new spring crop is being offered in the midst of lots of issues and problems with the Economy in Spain and of their processing industry in general. Prices while lower in Euro terms and of exceptional quality are handicapped by the 13.9 % Duty (another Bush Administration non-accomplishment as they claimed that they would reduce this) and, of course, the horrible Exchange Rate conditions.
Chile, already finished, has a similar problem as their currency is the strongest in Latin America and up substantially as well to the US $.
Peru has started to offer and is selling mostly into Europe. One factory offers to us only in Euros... They are no longer costing to their expenses but to the Spanish market.
Interestingly though, the smaller hearts that are the result of the variety they use and the growing conditions result in smaller calibrated hearts being very inexpensive vis a vis the Spanish equaivalent. Quarters are essentially the same price between the two (except Peru has no duty) while whole hearts are higher priced by 20% in Spain in Euro terms.
This is due to several factors including that Peru is more labor intense while Spain becomes more automated.
China looks to be less af a factor as there is 2 year old product being offered in the market as contracts were not fullfilled and returns more difficult for them as their economy heats up too.
Tumultuous Week
The Bear Stearns Bank run (what else can we call it) started what was a very difficult week in the international business we are all in. The Euro rose to an all time high against the dollar, the Japanese yen at 12 year highs, and more...
The war costs that were thought to be about $9 Billion per month turn out to be closer to $12 billion... The elections are still far away and Admiral Fallon was forced to resign in what some are seeing as a bellicose move towards Iran.
I learn as well today that the Port of LA/Long Beach along with others will have a work stoppage on May 1st. The release is:
"Members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) supported a resolution calling for an eight-hour “stop work meeting” May 1st at US West Coast ports.
The ILWU resolution to close ports in California, Oregon, and Washington would affect the day shift on May 1st. The move is intended to “protest the war by calling for the immediate safe return of US troops from Iraq,” according to the union.
Additional concerns raised by the union included the cost of the war. The war has threatened funding for domestic needs, including education and healthcare, said the union statement. It cited Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz and Harvard Economist Linda J. Bilmes' recent estimate that the cost of the war in Iraq to American taxpayers in excess of $3 trillion.
The ILWU notified other unions of its intended action in hopes they would stage similar events. "
Blue Planet Foods honors their efforts.... The link is above.
The war costs that were thought to be about $9 Billion per month turn out to be closer to $12 billion... The elections are still far away and Admiral Fallon was forced to resign in what some are seeing as a bellicose move towards Iran.
I learn as well today that the Port of LA/Long Beach along with others will have a work stoppage on May 1st. The release is:
"Members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) supported a resolution calling for an eight-hour “stop work meeting” May 1st at US West Coast ports.
The ILWU resolution to close ports in California, Oregon, and Washington would affect the day shift on May 1st. The move is intended to “protest the war by calling for the immediate safe return of US troops from Iraq,” according to the union.
Additional concerns raised by the union included the cost of the war. The war has threatened funding for domestic needs, including education and healthcare, said the union statement. It cited Nobel Laureate Joseph Stiglitz and Harvard Economist Linda J. Bilmes' recent estimate that the cost of the war in Iraq to American taxpayers in excess of $3 trillion.
The ILWU notified other unions of its intended action in hopes they would stage similar events. "
Blue Planet Foods honors their efforts.... The link is above.
16 March 2008
The USA, 2nd Largest in the World
And here is another example of the results of the last years. From the China Daily no less, never a good thing: Weak US Dollar Costs US Economy No 1 Spot
A high stakes game of chicken is being played if you read between the lines of the Treasury Secretary Paulson's prepared comments on the Sunday Politico Circuit.
A high stakes game of chicken is being played if you read between the lines of the Treasury Secretary Paulson's prepared comments on the Sunday Politico Circuit.
13 March 2008
Another Fraud in Olive Oil... Shocking?
Here is another mini awareness article designed to make us notice things...
But in our busy lives, in food stores, kitchens and restaurants around the world, sadly we can barely remember these things so the corruption continues and in these hard times even flourishes.
Buyers know less and less about the products they buy not for lack of care but from lack of time to learn (too busy?). The result all to often is the methods used to cheat need not be too sophisticated and products are not what they are said to be (stealing money firom us all).
Seems to be similar to our political situation in this important year of elections. We are too busy and don't pay enough attention to the realities in our world. We let others simplify and abridge our view of the events on the Blue Planet that shape our lives to the point where we believe the most ridiculous things...
And look where that has gotten us in the last 7 years.
From 13-Mar-2001 to 13-Mar-2008
Barrel Oil $28.00 to $111.00 That's 42 % per YEAR
Gas Prices $2.60 to $3.44 Soon to climb how high?
EURO / US $ $0.92 to $1.56 TODAY! 70 % Weaker
Something has to change. This may be just "speeches" of political campaigns but we all better make sure we listen objectively and make changes necessary reflective of our real world. Big Government? Big Business? Conservative? Liberal? Forget all that...
I suggest a brief glance at this article as a place that, though very busy we all may be, merits a read through and our attention.William Polk on Iraq
And a daily read of Informed Comment by Professor Juan Cole is a must everyday least we forget what is really happening
But in our busy lives, in food stores, kitchens and restaurants around the world, sadly we can barely remember these things so the corruption continues and in these hard times even flourishes.
Buyers know less and less about the products they buy not for lack of care but from lack of time to learn (too busy?). The result all to often is the methods used to cheat need not be too sophisticated and products are not what they are said to be (stealing money firom us all).
Seems to be similar to our political situation in this important year of elections. We are too busy and don't pay enough attention to the realities in our world. We let others simplify and abridge our view of the events on the Blue Planet that shape our lives to the point where we believe the most ridiculous things...
And look where that has gotten us in the last 7 years.
From 13-Mar-2001 to 13-Mar-2008
Barrel Oil $28.00 to $111.00 That's 42 % per YEAR
Gas Prices $2.60 to $3.44 Soon to climb how high?
EURO / US $ $0.92 to $1.56 TODAY! 70 % Weaker
Something has to change. This may be just "speeches" of political campaigns but we all better make sure we listen objectively and make changes necessary reflective of our real world. Big Government? Big Business? Conservative? Liberal? Forget all that...
I suggest a brief glance at this article as a place that, though very busy we all may be, merits a read through and our attention.William Polk on Iraq
And a daily read of Informed Comment by Professor Juan Cole is a must everyday least we forget what is really happening
09 March 2008
and More Adulteration in Olive Oils
And speaking of perceptions...
Please see the most recent in of many articles this in the Daily Telegraph.
As costs rise, so do scams... From the simple to the sophisticated, it is Buyer Beware all the way unless you know and trust from whom you are trading.
In the impersonal world, the best business is based on mutual success. This strategy in the Wal-Mart Effect world is (see the latest evidence with the Music Business and CD pricing here).
Please see the most recent in of many articles this in the Daily Telegraph.
As costs rise, so do scams... From the simple to the sophisticated, it is Buyer Beware all the way unless you know and trust from whom you are trading.
In the impersonal world, the best business is based on mutual success. This strategy in the Wal-Mart Effect world is (see the latest evidence with the Music Business and CD pricing here).
More Euro and Less Dollar
No need to reference the many sites dealing with this...
Since my last post 10 days ago the US Dollar has lost 2.5% touching historic skies at Euros 1.55!
That rate cannot be sustained.
The perceived widening gap of economic directions (EU to US) may soon converge in the same direction (Inflation with Job Losses). When this happens we should see the limits of the range as predicted for the Summer... (always barring unforeseen events.)
But for now world traders still reflect the confusion and gloom of the day. Between the upcoming US Presidential Elections (the choice between 2 "Stay the Course" types and an "Inexperienced" type) and the Housing/Mortgage Crisis the bottom is soft.
Please not the corresponding $105 to $106 Oil Markets (testing new highs) is 5% over the same time frame (and a full 2X the FOREX). This does not bode well for the US economy...
Since my last post 10 days ago the US Dollar has lost 2.5% touching historic skies at Euros 1.55!
That rate cannot be sustained.
The perceived widening gap of economic directions (EU to US) may soon converge in the same direction (Inflation with Job Losses). When this happens we should see the limits of the range as predicted for the Summer... (always barring unforeseen events.)
But for now world traders still reflect the confusion and gloom of the day. Between the upcoming US Presidential Elections (the choice between 2 "Stay the Course" types and an "Inexperienced" type) and the Housing/Mortgage Crisis the bottom is soft.
Please not the corresponding $105 to $106 Oil Markets (testing new highs) is 5% over the same time frame (and a full 2X the FOREX). This does not bode well for the US economy...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)