Disasters and the Availability of MRE's
Disasters and the Availability of MRE's
Have you noticed that when something happens out of the usual that MRE prices soar and the supply diminishes very quickly? I realize we have been in Iraq and Afganistan for a few years and that has some influence on the supply. It seems that when Katrina came on the scene in a big way it strained the producers of MRE's to the max. Now I read and see that prices are higher than they have ever been and finding sources are becoming very difficult. Is there any endin sight? Orisit the military is making it difficult for the civilianpopulation toget there hands onthese items?
Hi mdkoh - welcome to the forums!
Yes, we've definitely noticed the MRE prices soaring at various times during the year - especially after hurricanes hit. I don't think the higher prices have anything to do with the military making it difficult for us civilians to get our hands on MREs, I think it's just the natural reaction of people who haven't done any disaster planning when they see a disaster hit other people - they think "wow...I'd better stock up on food, too" and then they go out to Ebay and pay $100 for a case of MREs.
In the past when this has happened, MRE prices have skyrocketed for a few months and then settled back down to their previous $40/case range. It seems a bit different this time though - I haven't seen too many $40 cases lately - more like $50. Maybe that's just market forces/inflation raising the price over the years or maybe it's because people haven't got Katrina out of their minds yet and are still trying to stock up.
Either way, if you're looking to buy some MREs, I'd definitely recommend keeping an eye on prices and buying before the first hurricane is spotted heading towards the US because once that first hurricane hits, prices will probably go up again.
The good news out of all of this is that the MRE supply (to civilians) usually swells. Before they started handing out MREs for disaster relief, our only sources were people in the military or their friends who had access to MREs. But now that FEMA is handing out MREs to every civilian who drives up to an aid station, they're more plentiful.
Yes, we've definitely noticed the MRE prices soaring at various times during the year - especially after hurricanes hit. I don't think the higher prices have anything to do with the military making it difficult for us civilians to get our hands on MREs, I think it's just the natural reaction of people who haven't done any disaster planning when they see a disaster hit other people - they think "wow...I'd better stock up on food, too" and then they go out to Ebay and pay $100 for a case of MREs.
In the past when this has happened, MRE prices have skyrocketed for a few months and then settled back down to their previous $40/case range. It seems a bit different this time though - I haven't seen too many $40 cases lately - more like $50. Maybe that's just market forces/inflation raising the price over the years or maybe it's because people haven't got Katrina out of their minds yet and are still trying to stock up.
Either way, if you're looking to buy some MREs, I'd definitely recommend keeping an eye on prices and buying before the first hurricane is spotted heading towards the US because once that first hurricane hits, prices will probably go up again.
The good news out of all of this is that the MRE supply (to civilians) usually swells. Before they started handing out MREs for disaster relief, our only sources were people in the military or their friends who had access to MREs. But now that FEMA is handing out MREs to every civilian who drives up to an aid station, they're more plentiful.