Sam's Club And Costco Are Limiting Rice Sales

Sam's Club is bracing for a food shortage limiting sales of Jasmine, Basmati and long grain white rice. As the price of rice surges Sam's Club and Costco are dealing with people's fear that food supply shortages are imminent.

Costco Wholesale Corp is also limiting their customers rice purchases. The company said on Tuesday that they have seen an increased demand on staple items like rice and flour as customers begin to worry about global food shortages. Sam's Club has begun to limit the sale of rice to four bags per customer per visit. They are working with their suppliers to ensure that they can keep the products in stock. Not only will individuals be dealing with rice supply limits. Restaurants and small businesses often depend on the warehouse clubs for their bulk size goods. At this time other basic food items are not being limited at Sam's Club but Costco has had to limit flour purchases also. United States citizens are stocking up on their basic food staples as the global news shows a scary future. Many countries are experiencing food riots as the high prices make providing a meal difficult. Since the beginning of 2008 rice pres have risen 68 percent. Trade bans have been placed in India and Vietnam hoping to cool the domestic price of rice. The United Nations has warned that higher food prices could cause problems with global growth and security. The fears though in the United States may be a bit early. Tim Johnson, president-CEO of California Rice Commission, announced on Tuesday that there is no rice shortage in the United States.