法國奶油荒 超市存貨都被掃空！
France has been suffering from a dearth of butter for months, but now the problem is getting more acute.
法國最近幾個月都遭遇到奶油短缺的問題，但現在這個問題正變得越來越嚴重。
suffer from~飽受…之苦dearth(n.)缺少;不足=shortage=scarcityacute(adj.)急遽的;嚴重的
Supermarkets have been unable to stock shelves with the country’s favorite fat, and French newspapers are warning that this could be the worst shortage since the second world war.
法國超市的奶油存貨被掃空，法國報紙更稱這是「自二次世界大戰以來最嚴重的短缺」。
The reasons for the current shortage are complex.
法國目前奶油短缺的原因很複雜。
complex(adj.)複雜的
Falling levels of milk production, coupled with a low yield in 2016 and increasing demand for French butter across the world, have resulted in a drop in supply and rising wholesale prices.
牛奶產量下降，加上2016年奶油產量低，以及全世界對法國奶油的需求量增加，造成奶油供貨量減少，批發價格上漲。
coupled with~加上=combined with~along with~yield(n.)產量=productionresult in~造成=lead to=contribute to~
Global butter prices have almost tripled to 7,000 euros a ton from 2,500 euros in 2016.
每公噸零售奶油的價格已從2016年的2500歐元漲了近3倍，來到7000歐元。
triple(v.)增加至三倍
In Europe, prices peaked at about 6,500 euros a ton in September, the highest since 2000.
歐洲奶油價格在9月達到每噸約6500歐元的頂峰，是自2000年後最高的價格。
peak(v.)達到最大值;達到頂峰=reach a peak=reach its highest
Adding to the problem, as French supermarkets are reluctant to hike prices, producers and wholesalers are taking their wares across the border to sell in neighboring countries such as Germany, where prices went up 52 percent, compared to France’s six percent.
讓問題更嚴重的是，因為法國超市不願意提高價格，生產者和批發商便將他們手上的奶油出口到德國等鄰近國家販售，德國的奶油價格已上漲了52％，相較之下法國只上漲了6％。
be reluctant to RV 不願意=be unwilling to RVhike(v.)(尤指急遽地)提高(物價等)=increase~sharplywares(n.)(恆複)貨物compared to~和…相較=compared with~
The result is that pastry-makers and bakers cannot obtain enough wholesale butter to maintain normal production levels.
結果是甜點和麵包師傅無法取得足夠的批發奶油以維持正常產量。
maintain(v.)維持
Makers of French pastries such as croissants, which are made up of 25 percent butter, have been grappling with rising prices and scarce supplies.
製作可頌等法國點心的師傅正在設法解決奶油價格上漲和供貨量稀少的問題，因為光是可頌就有四分之一的成份是奶油。
be made up of~由…所組成grapple with~盡力解決、設法對付、盡量克服=tackle=deal with
France’s agriculture and food minister, Stephane Travert, has reassured the public that the shortage will not last because low milk production levels will soon rise.
法國農業糧食部長特拉維特安慰民眾，奶油短缺的問題並不會持續下去，因為牛奶產量很快就會回升。
reassure(v.)使放心;使消除疑慮
But industry insiders have warned the situation could continue through the autumn and into winter.
但業內人士警告，整個秋天還是會有奶油荒， 甚至會延續到冬天。
insider(n.)熟悉內情的人