Steep food price increases on way: experts

[DogPoundPup]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. food prices will rise by at least 7 percent in 2009 because of higher feed costs for chickens, hogs and cattle, said a group of food-industry economists on Thursday.

It would be the third year in a row that food prices rose faster than the overall U.S. inflation rate. Food inflation is the highest since 1990.

"The sizable increase in the cost of producing food has not been fully passed on to the consumer," said private consultant Bill Lapp. He foresaw food inflation of 7 percent-9 percent in 2009.

During a teleconference, economists from the National Chicken Council and the consultancy Farm Econ said food inflation could be 7 percent-8 percent. The teleconference was arranged by a group of major foodmakers.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE4A58RZ20081106

[Critters2]

1. Even for those of us who don't eat chickens, hogs and cattle?

That doesn't seem fair. :)

[TommyO]

2. Blame the diversion of feed crops to ethanol production.

[Critters2]

4. Using these plant foods as "feed" is wasteful in and of itself.

It takes 16 pounds of grain to produce 1 pound of beef. Me, I'd rather eat the grain. It's more efficient that way.

[pitohui]

8. do you know how many people have celiac disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome...

...and many other diseases where "just eating the grain myself" will seriously harm or kill them?

trust me, it's a lot

or don't trust me, instead, do a little research and find out for yourself

it's a lot

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. I can't eat gluten, am dairy sensitive.

Bad news is that about 80%of grocery products contain some form of gluten.

Good news is that forces me to eat mostly unprocessed foods.

And by now we all know that commercial meat in this country is loaded with hormomes, garbage, other yuk.

so I am saving on the grocery bill.
Chinese and Mexican cooking works for us.

[Psephos]

22. You've got that right. The epidemic of "lifestyle" diseases is now the #1 health problem.

It's astonishing. Diseases that every year fatten and sicken millions, and kill hundreds of thousands, result from *voluntary* patterns of eating and avoidance of exercise.

And even more astonishing is the pervasive myth that these patterns represent an evolved, more enjoyable, and more comfortable life.

:crazy:

[Scout]

28. uh huh, right

we're all just fat because we eat too much junk food and we're lazy

:eyes:

[Psephos]

29. it's not about junk food and it's not about laziness

Metabolic syndrome, childhood obesity, adult-onset diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and related diseases were almost unreported in public health records a hundred years ago.

What's your explanation? :)

[Zhade]

32. Um, that's some bullshit.

For some people its genetic.

In others cases, years of not labeling foods properly.

For another, the lack of time left over from just surviving.

[Psephos]

33. I'd be glad to discuss it with you

Ground rules are that we don't call each other names or say each other's opinions are bullshit. Sources and references are welcome, and likely to influence credibility.

[silverojo]

26. I wish I could K&R your reply - n/t

[earthside]

27. That's Bunk.

I can eat 8 ounces of meat and get more energy and protein than you can if you eat several pounds of steamed, mushy wheat.

Meat is naturally processed plants ... most humans could not sit around and eat 16 pounds of grain in order to survive, which is why we evolved as omnivores.

The ultimate problem is not meat versus vegetable, it is 6.6 billion human beings living on a planet that can only sustain about a quarter of that number.

[Warpy]

5. Don't be silly

Blame it on increased production and transportation costs at every level of delivering food to your table, and blame those on the cost of petroleum.

Remember, just because gas prices took a pre election dive doesn't mean oil got any cheaper and don't pretend these cheaper gas prices will last beyond early spring. They won't.

Ethanol can easily be produced from crop waste like sorghum stalks and producers know it. The conversion of actual foodstuffs into ethanol is only a tiny fraction of a percent of all foodstuffs produced.

Food will become much more expensive now for the same reason it did in the late 70s and early 80s: oil shocks. Then it was OPEC. Now it's the fall in the value of the dollar from the GOP's reckless economic policy.

[jedr]

11. All of what you said is true ,,also add in exports;

family farms have not made money (except the last two years)for 10 to 15 yrs. Over production due to farmers getting larger and more efficient have kept prices down. Cheap food has long been the base of the U.S. economy. With a larger global market, exports are adding to the rise in prices as farmers have more markets and no reserves of product. Add in inflation as the Fed' will print money to off set the deficit, you're going to see the perfect storm. Get set to pay more, buy local as much as possible and know what you're getting. Help keep the family farm the family farm.

[murielm99]

25. Thank you, thank you.

There is one smart person posting in this thread.

IMHO, I think people will have to learn how to cook again. We need to buy locally and use fewer processed food products.

[Chemical Bill]

19. We use much more grain for meat than for ethanol.

You've been listening to the same people who sold us a war. Corporate media can't be trusted.

Bill

[Psephos]

23. Interesting if true. Do you have a reference? n/t

[Chemical Bill]

30. Sure, here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=115x82305

Not much of the U.S. corn crop directly feeds humans, however. About half goes to U.S. animal feed; 20% is exported, mostly to feed foreign animals; 20% makes ethanol; and 10% is used for industrial and some food-related products, around half of which is for high-fructose corn sweeteners.

That's a quotation from "Chemical and Engineering News". Notice that it is for corn only, as no other grains are used for ethanol production in the US currently. Plenty of soybeans go for cattle feed, and wheat has nothing to do with ethanol.

Even if ethanol were driving up the price of high fructose corn syrup, that wouldn't be a bad thing.

Bill

Edit for html error

[Zhade]

31. Indeed. WE NEED HEMP!

NT!

[lelgt60]

16. message deleted

[nebenaube]

3. food inflation is overall inflation! In the end most of those other things are irrelevant! n/t

[wtbymark]

6. no, this is a small part of the inflation cycle

that will hit like a bomb next year because we just pissed on a few trillion dollars in the last year or so. Expect high unemployment and high inflation for at least a year, thanks to sir chimp f^%$khead and his cronies.

[natrat]

7. maybe its time to get way from inefficient meat production-we dont need fucking wendys

[AsahinaKimi]

9. I shop two places these days...

I have long ago abandoned Safeway supermarket, though its only four blocks away. I go to Chinatown now to buy food and my local Farmers market every Wednesday.
Just some examples:

A pound of Cherry tomatoes for a dollar (note: they always give you a little more then a pound at the same price. The farmers don't mind making it a bargain.)

A 5 pound bag of Japanese rice for $3.50. (**note: same bag of rice at Safeway *$7.50)
Red onions 25 cents a pound.
Corn on the cob (non shucked) four for $1.00
Mushrooms 1lb for $2.00
McCormick brand Garlic powder (88grm)$2.19 (at Safeway, around $5.00)
Summer squash 1 dollar a pound
2.7 oz of white pepper $1.19
17 oz of Hot chili sause $1.99 (at Safeway same stuff $6.25!)
32.fl oz of Rice Vinegar for $1.39
60.86 fl oz of Soy Sauce for $3.40
Peanut Oil 30 fluid ounces for $4.99
Nori, Japanese seaweed paper(for Kappa Maki rolls) $1.34 for ten sheets.
100 Tea bags of FOOJOY classic Oolong tea (200g) $2.35!!
100 Tea bags of FOOJOY Japanese Green tea (200g) $2.39!

Most of the Asian markets here are very inexpensive as well.
I think the best deal are the farmers markets, because you are buying from the farmers direct.

[jennied]

14. That's a good idea. Also the 99 cent store here is fantastic...

They have vegetables, fruit, milk, yogurts, great brand name condiments and much much more. You could nearly get everything at the 99 cent store, except for meat.

[AsahinaKimi]

15. I don't buy meat...

But if I did, Chinatown would be the best place to find fresh Meat and Seafoods. I have seen
people bring home fish taken straight from the fish tanks, usually in a big baggy filled with water. I knew a guy made is own Unagi..but personally I could never kill an eel.. even the farmer markets here sell fish.


I will buy chicken wings from food shops in Chinatown, at least I don't have to butcher it myself! :P yuck!

[Billy Burnett]

10. Partly a result of deregulation of market speculation on commodities. Much like oil.

People will starve and die, so that very few others will enrich themselves.

THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF GENOCIDE.

[jennied]

13. Today I spent 50 bucks... And I went through the 10 Items or less lane!

And no, I didn't buy alcohol or stuff like that. I bought fruits and vegetables mostly.

[AsahinaKimi]

17. Its hard yes..

Even more so if you have a pet to feed.
I have to find special places to find quality dried cat food and kitty litter.
I can't let Mr. Buzz starve to death!!

[lelgt60]

18. I don't understand...corn prices have fallen significantly...

Corn is now about $3.82 per bushel - same as June 2007. It has fallen from $7.88 a bushel in June of this year.

Same thing for wheat and soybeans.

[Hannah Bell]

20. ADM profit soars on higher prices; shares jump

Reuters, Tuesday November 4 2008

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/feedarticle/7985712

NEW YORK, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Archer Daniels Midland Co reported a quarterly profit that beat Wall Street forecasts by a wide margin, helped by higher selling prices for foods like corn syrup and hedging gains on raw material costs.

Shares of ADM, one of the largest U.S. food processors and ethanol producers, shot up as much as 22 percent after the company revived investor hopes that it can make money and increase cash flow despite a slowing world economy and tighter credit conditions.

[live love laugh]

21. "On the way"? O.M.G.

[Lifelong Protester]

24. well, the processed food should be the first to go

from our diets. Also, a lot of pre-packaged items, I'm thinking about all of those "100 calorie" packs of things we could easily do ourselves. We will also all cook a lot more homemade meals. I know I will be looking at stuff I indiscriminately toss in the food cart for things to chop.I don't eat meat, I am fortunate not to have celiac disease or diabetes (both run in my family so I know that is a real issue) and I really, really need to look at how can I simplify.