Why could food grain production not rise enough with demand in France?

Population rose fast and production remained limited

In eighteenth-century France, the population increased, so more people needed food, especially bread. However, food-grain production did not grow at the same rate. When demand rises faster than supply, available grain becomes scarce in relation to the number of buyers. Sellers then charge higher prices, and bread becomes more expensive.

Option A is therefore correct: population rose quickly while production remained limited. The other choices do not explain the shortage. Demand for bread did not disappear, peasants still faced pressures, and the king did not stop farming. Higher food prices placed a heavy burden on ordinary people, particularly workers whose wages often failed to rise equally. This contributed to social tension before the Revolution.

This is a Class 9 History question. Chapter: The French Revolution. Topic: French Society During the Late Eighteenth Century.