While I agree that most of the factors listed above are issues of concern, I would suggest it is a confused and somewhat alarmist representation of the true state of affairs.

Yes we may well see short term (indeed dramatic) wheat price increase on the US domestic market but to say that the  'middle classes in China and India' are driving prices up is clearly oversimplifying the matter. Such factors are not the sources of the problem but more symptoms of an underlying problem for any country to produce enough wheat due to crop failure on a global scale. (The 'if in doubt blame China' argument has grown rather old in my eyes and says more about the west than it does about asia....but that's another story which has nothing to do with bread so I will refrain!)

The value of the dollar is indeed a problem but not one specific to the food markets. Whether it's politically correct to say it or not, the US and likely the UK are heading for a period of economic recession.

I fully accept that if you're running a bakery or mill then grain/wheat supply is of paramount concern but if every home baker were to stockpile wheat and flour in the manner suggested then surely the net result would be to simply to aggravate the problem and in the worst case, escalate it to disastrous proportions.  In that scenario, the biggest factor to drive prices would be panic.  Things would  get worse not better.

Looking to the long term future, perhaps the solution for the dedicated baker lies in local collective farming efforts?  Who knows, sprouted wheat might prove more useful than just it's enzymes!

Anyway, that's just my two (ever depreciating) pence on the subject... It's not my intention to stir up a political debate.  I hope my reply can be seen in the light it's intended (one of calm and careful consideration).

I do not think is true.Let's look on price of gas you buy in your car.The price go up because the shortage of the gas but oil company have huge profits and that is with everything as:gas,flour,building materials and list go on and on.I do belive before election the price will go down.Last year before Christmas I bought 50 pounds of a/p flour for $ 12.75 and same flour I paid today is $35.00.I do belive that company want to make huge profit.Its very sad that happening here.

                                    Saintdennis