Comment by novaRom

6 hours ago

But how do they store and preserve that surplus for a longer time cheaply? Probably dehydration helps, but it adds some energy and storing costs.

2 comments

novaRom

It's not always stored, sometimes it is spoiled.

At one point more was sent to developing countries as aid but that practice was curbed as it was undercutting local farmers.

I think most national reserves are cereals (wheat, rice) which are naturally long lasting.

There's some storage of special products (dairy, pork, famously maple syrup) but those have ad-hoc storage.