January - Agricultural Prices

The January USDA report for Agricultural Prices has been released. The fruit index is lower than a month and a year ago, but the vegetable index is up. Average price of fresh apples were 28 cents per pound, down a penny from last month and off 8 cents per pound from a year ago. Find the link here.

Farm prices swoon in November

The deflation in the commodities market was reflected in the USDA's agricultural prices report:

November Farm Prices Received Index Declined 12 Points

The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers in November, at 139 percent, based on 1990-92=100, decreased 12 points (7.9 percent) from October. The Crop Index is down 16 points (9.5 percent) and the Livestock Index decreased 2 points (1.6 percent). Producers received lower prices for soybeans, corn, lettuce, and hogs and higher prices for tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, and cantaloups. In addition to prices, the overall index is also affected by the seasonal change based on a 3-year average mix of commodities producers sell. Increased monthly marketings of milk, cattle, cotton, and cottonseed offset decreased marketings of soybeans, potatoes, peanuts, and lettuce.

The preliminary All Farm Products Index is down 2 points (1.4 percent) from November 2007. The Food Commodities Index, at 140, decreased 9 points (6.0 percent) from last month and decreased 5 points (3.4 percent) from November 2007.

Prices Paid Index Down 4 Points

The November Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest,Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) is 183 percent of the 1990-92 average The index is down 4 points (2.1 percent) from October but 18 points (11 percent) above November 2007. Lower prices in November for diesel fuel, feed concentrates, complete feeds, and gasoline more than offset higher prices for feeder pigs, mixed fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides.

Ag Prices - August 29

Here is the link to the Aug. 29 Agricultural Prices report. From the summary, the USDA said the all farm index of prices received by farmers in August, at 155, based in 1990-1992 equals 100, decreased 2.5% from July.

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.

Agricultural Prices - Way up

From the National Agricultural Statistics Service:

June Farm Prices Received Index Jumped 11 Points From Last Month

The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers in June, at 162 percent, based on 1990-92=100, increased 11 points (7.3 percent) from May. The Crop Index is up 19 points (11 percent) and the Livestock Index increased 3 points (2.2 percent). Producers received higher prices for corn, soybeans, milk, and lettuce and lower prices for strawberries, cantaloups, and wheat. In addition to prices, the overall index is also affected by the seasonal change based on a 3-year average mix of commodities producers sell. Increased monthly marketings of wheat, hay, grapes, and cantaloups offset decreased marketings of tomatoes, oranges, strawberries, and sweet corn.

The preliminary All Farm Products Index is up 25 points (18 percent) from June 2007. The Food Commodities Index, at 157, increased 10 points (6.8 percent) from last month and increased 19 points (14 percent) from June 2007.


Prices Paid Index Up 3 Points

The June Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) is 189 percent of the 1990-92 average. The index is up 3 points (1.6 percent) from May and 28 points (17 percent) above June 2007. Higher prices in June for feed grains, diesel fuel, feed concentrates, and mixed fertilizers offset lower prices for hay & forages and
feeder pigs.


Fruits & Nuts: The June index, at 152, is down 1.3 percent from May but 0.7 percent higher than a year ago. A price decrease for strawberries more than offset price increases for apples and lemons.

Commercial Vegetables: The June index, at 152, is up 4.1 percent from last month and 14 percent above June 2007. Price increases during June for lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and cauliflower more than offset price declines for cantaloups, sweet corn, onions, and carrots.

Potatoes & Dry Beans: The June index, at 181, is up 12 percent from last month and 37 percent above June 2007. The all potato price, at $10.37 per cwt, is up $1.21 from May and up $2.62 from last June. The all dry bean price, at $38.60 per cwt, is up $2.90 from the previous month and $14.20 above June 2007.

Ag Prices up

From the USDA:

The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers in May, at 150 percent, based on 1990-92=100, increased 5 points (3.4 percent) from April. The Crop Index is up 4 points (2.4 percent) and the Livestock Index increased 5 points (3.9 percent). Producers received higher prices for hogs, cattle, onions, and broilers and lower prices for eggs, lettuce, wheat, and broccoli. In addition to prices, the overall index is also affected by the seasonal change based on a 3-year average mix of commodities producers sell. Increased monthly marketings of cantaloups, grapes, sweet corn, and wheat offset decreased marketings of cattle, milk, corn, and apples.

The preliminary All Farm Products Index is up 14 points (10 percent) from May 2007. The Food Commodities Index, at 147, increased 5 points (3.5 percent) from last month and increased 11 points (8.1 percent) from May 2007.


Prices Paid Index Up 3 Points

The May Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) is 184 percent of the 1990-92 average. The index is up 3 points (1.7 percent) from April and 23 points (14 percent) above May 2007. Higher prices in May for diesel fuel, mixed fertilizers, feeder cattle, and potash & phosphate more than offset lower prices for feed
concentrates, feed supplements, tractors, and feed grains.