FOOD SURPLUS

food surplus: translation

  when food stores build up in certain areas. This occurs because supply has exceeded demand due to one or more of a number of reasons:

  yields are so high the population cannot consume the food available

  prices are such that some people may consume less than they would like

  competition from imports has left domestic produce unsold

  supplies are deliberately withheld from the market either to maintain higher prices or as a precautionary measure against future shortages.