What's going on with the price of peanuts?

[madmaggot]

We buy a 25kg sack of peanuts every year at this time so that we don't run out during the winter but were amazed to find that they are now at least 33% more expensive than last year. What's going on? Has the peanut harvest failed or something?
We are lucky to be able to still afford to buy them but there must be lots of people who wish to feed the birds but are finding that they can no longer afford to.
In the end we paid £35 at our local pet shop; he said he phones his wholesaler each day in an effort to get a good price but they limit him to 10 sacks at a time!

[NazNomad]

I quit my peanut feeders about 2 years ago. The birds seem to do well enough on the mixed seed, fat-balls, nyger and sunflower seeds.

Peanuts are a ridiculous price.

[EcclesCake]

I can't answer your question because the birds in my garden won't eat peanuts!!!

[Jemisa]

I saved a
lot by growing my own sunflowers this year and the G/kids enjoyed growing 'em too.
and I've enough seeds for another crop.

jem

[madmaggot]

We had to stop feeding seeds because the birds dropped them everywhere and we were overrun with mice. Now I wouldn't really mind if they stayed in the garden but we had them in the loft and also under the bonnet of the car and they caused a lot of damage. Since we changed to just peanuts we don't get the mouse problem.

[Jemisa]

Ooooo! I haven't found that yet but its something i'll take on board. I'm terrified of mice and will be on guard. - thanks.

jem

[lankeela]

This is due to to a dramatic rise in commodity prices caused by more crops being used for biofuels and the wholesale price of peanuts (used for oil) has gone through the roof. All grains and oil producing crops are at an all time high because they are trying to use more of them rather than fossil fuels.

[madmaggot]

Thanks Lankeela, I had an idea it might be linked to that but wasn't sure.
Jemisa, we live in the countryside so possibly have more potential for rats and mice than in a more built up area, especially when providing a ready supply of food! We don't have cats in our garden either because the dog keeps them away.

[Chaffinch]

Peanuts, are stupidly priced, the smaller amounht you buy the more expensive they are!!!!