World Bank: Food prices at "dangerous levels"
World Bank President Robert Zoellick says global food prices have hit "dangerous levels" that could contribute to political instability, push
millions of people into poverty and raise the cost of groceries...The bank says in a new report that global food prices have jumped 29 percent in the
past year, and are just 3 percent below the all-time peak hit in 2008. Zoellick says the rising prices have hit people hardest in the developing world
because they spend as much as half their income on food.
Companies Warn That Higher Prices Are Looming
Cotton prices are near their highest level in more than a decade, after adjusting for inflation, and leather and polyester costs are jumping as
well. Copper recently hit its highest level in about 40 years, and iron ore, used for steel, is fetching extremely high prices. Prices for corn,
sugar, wheat, beef, pork and coffee are soaring. Labor overseas is becoming more expensive, meanwhile, and so are the utility bills to keep a factory
running.
High Sugar Prices Hit Bakeries, Confectioners
Poor weather in sugar producing countries has driven up world sugar prices-- which have left a bitter taste in the mouths of local bakers and
confectioners. Kim Brady, the cafe shipping manager at Original Smith Island Cake Co. in West Ocean City, says they're paying eighty percent more for
sugar than they were last year.
Fed's Lacker: Food, Energy Price Rise Definitely A Concern
Richmond Federal Reserve President Jeffrey Lacker said in a Bloomberg television program that while accelerating inflation is "not a done deal"
yet, it's at this point in the economic recovery when it can.
Crop Prices Push Up Farmland Value
Fueled by rising crop prices, the value of irrigated and nonirrigated cropland across the region known as the 10th District jumped 14.8% and 12.9%,
respectively, in the fourth quarter, compared with a year earlier.
Milk production and milk prices
expected to be higher in 2011
Milk prices will be higher this year. The Class IV price is expected to average $16.70 to $17.50 per cwt. The Class III price is expected to be
below the Class IV price this year and to average $15.80 to $16.50 per cwt. The expected higher Class prices will push the all milk price well above
2010 to a forecast $17.70 to $18.40 per cwt for 2011.
Candy Shop Gets Creative to Keep Chocolate Prices Stable
"Sugar has doubled," adds Hicklin. "Pecans have doubled or tripled." Cocoa bean prices soared to highs unseen since the beginning of last year.
"...It's forcing stores like the Candy House to cut back. It's changing packaging and cutting out different chocolates that proved to be too
costly.
Tomato prices soar after cold weather kill-off
With so many crops killed off by the cold, produce shop owners are seeing tomato prices triple. Cases that usually cost $12-15 are up to
$40.
Corn prices increasing, what'll it mean for grocery
costs?
The demand for corn is going up, which is expected to increase it's production costs. Experts say it'll trickle down onto the price of beef and
commodities at grocery stores.
Global wheat prices could soar as China struggles with drought
If the country were to buy large amounts of wheat overseas, prices on commodity markets would skyrocket. This comes at a time when food costs are
already high, and a further increase would be devastating for millions of China's poorest.

