Robbing Peter to pay Paul

Here is the link to the April 30 Agricultural Prices report from the USDA. Ag prices are indexed to a base of 100, when 1990-1992 equals 100.

The USDA's preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers in April, at 135 percent, based on 1990-92=100, increased1 point (0.7 percent) from March.

Except for unusually high grain prices, fruit and vegetable prices indexed higher than most every other other commodity group. Livestock prices had an index of 129, cotton was 79 and oil bearing crops were 122.

An argument you are hearing more lately is that federal subsidies of program crops such as cotton, grain, and oilseeds contribute to the poor diet habits of Americans by making calories cheaper (corn syrup, processed food) while fruits and vegetable prices continue to rise with higher costs.

From the report:


Potatoes & Dry Beans: The April index, at 164, is up 15 percent from last month and 19 percent above April 2006. The all potato price, at $9.78 per cwt, is up $1.44 from March and $1.43 from last April. The all dry bean price, at $26.00 per cwt, is up 20 cents from the previous month and $7.10 above April 2006.

Fruits & Nuts: The April index, at 148, is down 7.5 percent from March but 11 percent higher than a year ago. Price decreases for strawberries and oranges more than offset a price increase for pears.

Commercial Vegetables: The April index, at 191, is down 2.1 percent from last month but 36 percent above April 2006. Price decreases during April for lettuce, celery, and snap beans more than offset price increases for onions, tomatoes, and broccoli.