Agricultural Prices - Headed higher

Agricultural prices keep heading higher. From the USDA today:


The July All Farm Products Index is 161 percent of its 1990-92 base, up 1.9 percent from the June index and 16 percent above the July 2007 index.

ALL CROPS: The July index is 186, up 1.6 percent from June and 32 percent above July 2007. Index increases for potatoes & dry beans, oil-bearing crops, and feed grains & hay more than offset the index decreases for food grains and commercial vegetables

Fruits & Nuts: The July index, at 151, is unchanged from June but 3.4 percent higher than a year ago. Price increases for apples, strawberries, and pears offset price decreases for grapes, oranges, lemons, and peaches.

Commercial Vegetables: The July index, at 148, is down 3.9 percent from last month but 17 percent above July 2007. Price declines for tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and cauliflower more than offset price increases during July for sweet corn, snap beans, and asparagus.

Potatoes & Dry Beans: The July index, at 197, is up 7.1 percent from last month and 35 percent above July 2007. The all potato price, at $11.42 per cwt, is up 64 cents from June and up $2.94 from last July. The all dry beanprice, at $38.20 per cwt, is up $5.20 from the previous month and $9.70 above July 2007.