AFBF Fall Basket Shows Decline

The annual Fall Market basket survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation shows lower retail food prices compared to the same time last year.  The survey released Monday showed an 8% decrease, to total $49.70.  While its consumer based information, AFBF's John Newton said it is indicative of what’s taking place on the farm.

“So, when farmers are having lower pay prices, when they’re getting lower prices for the milk that they produce, or the chickens that they raise, that goes back to the consumer level.  And of this market basket survey, that farmers receive anywhere from $8 to $9 for those commodities that they produce.”

Newton said there were several reasons why the Basket totals dropped.

“Commodity prices have come down their loftier levels that we saw in 2013.  Milk prices declined by 10%, egg prices have declined by 50%, and all of that translates back into a cheaper retail price that the consumer sees at the grocery store.”

There were a few commodities that increased over the past year, Apple prices increased 10%, potatoes up 3% from last year.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com