food prices
‘Farms are becoming more like factories’
Thanks to sensors and computer control of water and nutrients, technologically advanced growers like California almond farmer Tom Rogers are leaders in what The Economist calls "smart farming."
Organic food keeps price premium as market grows
Shoppers paid a premium of more than 20 percent for organic foods from 2004-10 while the market for organic groceries was blossoming, says a USDA study, with consumers likely to spend more for products, such as milk and baby food, fed to children. Price premiums cut both ways: they encourage growers to expand production but if they are too high, they diminish the market for the goods.
Strong dollar constrains beef, poultry, dairy prices
Grocery shoppers will pay lower-than-expected prices for beef, poultry and dairy products, thanks to the strong dollar and larger meat production, said the monthly Food Price Outlook. For beef, the change in price would be dramatic — down by 2.5 percent this year after two years of steep increases.
Global food prices rise for third month in a row
A four-year decline in global food prices has come to an end, says the FAO Food Price Index, which rose by 0.7 percent in April, the third consecutive monthly increase. "April's increase was driven by palm oil prices and, in a minor key, cereals, while sugar prices tapered down after a strong increase in March," said FAO.
Massive corn crop, lowest market price in 10 years
If they take their cues from recent changes in the futures markets, U.S. farmers will plant slightly more soybeans and correspondingly less corn, says the think tank Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute.
El Niño droughts may test world rice reserves
The world may be headed for its first tight rice supply since the spike in global food prices nearly a decade ago, says a social scientist at the International Rice Research Institute, part of a network of agricultural research centers.
Prices most important factor in grocery shopping, trade group says
Shoppers consistently say price is their most important consideration in grocery shopping. And with the small profit margin for grocers, "we focus so intensely on food prices because our consumers demand that we do," says Andrew Harig of the Food Marketing Institute.
Food inflation stunted by lower beef and pork prices
Americans will see a fourth year of smaller-than-usual increases in food prices, thanks to weaker beef and pork prices, says the monthly Food Price Outlook report.
Large grain crops worldwide portend stable prices
A UN agency says prices for staple food grains, such as wheat or rice, "appear stable for at least another season" as a result of its forecast of large crops, ample stockpiles and relatively sluggish demand in the months ahead.
Waiting for the next spike in global food prices
Less than a decade after a worldwide surge in food prices that began in 2008, grain bins are bursting around the globe. But the risk isn't over, says Quartz, pointing to a meeting called by the Council on Foreign Relations. A majority of the economists and policymakers at the session "believe food prices will spike again within five years."
Abandoning wheat, farmers head for monster corn crop
U.S. farmers say they will plant the third-largest amount of land to corn since World War II -- 93.6 million acres -- the first step toward a record-setting fall harvest, assuming normal weather and yields.
Forecast: Minimal rise in grocery prices this year
Lower beef, pork and poultry prices will bring the fifth year in a row of lower-than-average increases in grocery prices, says the monthly Food Price Outlook.
Cost of a spring picnic holds steady
Americans planning a spring picnic will spend around $53 for groceries to fix sandwiches, salad and non-alcoholic beverages for an outing of 10 people, according to a survey of grocery store prices in 28 states.
Fruits, vegetables, budgets and the Dietary Guidelines
Americans eat far less than the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables, and a common excuse is that they cost too much. Not so, say USDA economists, who examined the average retail price of 156 commonly consumed fruits and vegetables, fresh or processed.
Global food prices are lowest since April 2009
Crop failures possible across southern Africa
One of the strongest El Niño weather patterns in half a century is bringing the second consecutive year of low rainfall and high temperatures to southern Africa, humanitarian agencies report. They warn that food shortages could be the worst since a 2002-03 food crisis.
It’s not just price, taste or convenience for grocery sales anymore
Half of Americans consider factors such as health and wellness, safety, social impact, and transparency when buying groceries, says a food-industry study. The "evolving drivers" of food purchases mean taste, price and convenience - the longtime standbys - no longer are predictive.
Beef prices take a breather
After two years of dramatic increases, the grocery store price of beef is stabilizing, says the Food Price Outlook.