Labor Shortage: The plague caused a substantial decline in the population of Europe, including a considerable loss of agricultural workers. This labor shortage led to a decrease in the production of food, which caused prices to increase due to the reduced supply.
Increased Demand for Food: With a reduced population, there was a higher demand for food among the survivors, as resources became relatively scarcer. This increased demand put additional upward pressure on food prices.
Disrupted Trade: The spread of the Black Death disrupted trade routes and transportation, making it difficult to transport food from one region to another. This disruption further contributed to the increase in food prices as regions that typically exported food faced difficulties in doing so, while those that normally relied on imports encountered shortages.
Currency Devaluation: The economic disruptions caused by the plague led to a devaluation of currency, which resulted in a decrease in its purchasing power. This made food more expensive relative to the amount of money available to people.
Feudal Obligations: In the feudal system, peasants were obligated to provide a portion of their agricultural production to the landowning noble or lord. However, the shortage of labor caused many peasants to abandon their lands and seek employment elsewhere. This disrupted the usual arrangement, leading to competition for available food and further increasing prices.
Increased Speculation: The uncertainty and disruptions caused by the plague encouraged hoarding and speculation, which resulted in a rise in food prices as merchants sought to profit from the situation.