Flat Earth: Soaring sauerkraut

IN Europe, by contrast, there has been a cabbage crisis. Poland - the continent's biggest producer, exporter and consumer - had a drought last year that sent the price of sauerkraut soaring. Those who buy from a deli will have noticed the difference: Britain's retailers were forced to pay pounds 13 for a 12-jar carton of Polish sauerkraut, against the usual rate of pounds 7.50. Now this year's harvest has been processed, the price is a more reasonable pounds 8.25.

This shows, as we have long suspected, that there is an international market in cabbage futures. All it needs is an enterprising barrow boy to set up a brassica index, and before long Reuters will be in there, too.