The American Farm Bureau Federation says:
As retail grocery prices have increased gradually, the share of the
average food dollar that America's farm and ranch families receive has
dropped over time.
"In the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer
retail food expenditures on average. That figure has decreased steadily
over time and is now just 22 percent, according to Agriculture
Department statistics," (American Farm Bureau Federation economist Jim) Sartwelle said.
Using that percentage across-the-board, the farmer's share of this quarter's $45.03 marketbasket total would be $9.90.
How much are food prices rising? The American Farm Bureau Federation
marketbasket survey found:
Of the 16 items surveyed, 11 increased, four decreased and one
stayed the same in average price compared to the 2007 fourth-quarter
survey. Compared to one year ago, the overall cost for the marketbasket
items showed an increase of about 9 percent.
According to the survey, bacon remained the same, at $3.35 per pound. These items increased in price:
- flour, up 69 cents to $2.39 for a 5-pound bag
- cheddar cheese, up 61
cents to $4.71 per pound
- corn oil, up 58 cents to $3.01 per 32-oz.
bottle
- a dozen large eggs, up 55 cents to $2.16
- vegetable oil, up 38
cents to $2.63 per 32-oz. bottle
- mayonnaise, up 22 cents to $3.14 for
a 32-ounce jar
- Russet potatoes, up 18 cents to $2.47 for a 5-pound
bag
- a 20-oz. loaf of white bread, up 16 cents to $1.78
- apples, up 13
cents to $1.40 per pound
- whole fryer chickens, up 9 cents to $1.37 per
pound
- ground chuck, up 4 cents to $2.73 per pound
Items that decreased in price were:
- whole milk, down 10 cents to
$3.81 per gallon
- pork chops, down 8 cents to $3.31 per pound
- a 9-oz.
box of toasted oat cereal, down 8 cents to $2.97
- sirloin tip
roast, down 5 cents to $3.80 per pound
