Beef And Vegetable Prices Could Go Up This Year

Food prices are on the rise, and items like beef and vegetables might be a little higher this year. On Monday at the Georgia Farm Bureau, the University of Georgia’s Agricultural Department talked about some of the things that’s causing your food prices to go up. Severe drought conditions throughout the U-S has increased animal feeding costs for farmers and has caused herd reductions in several states. Associate Professor of Economics, Dr. Nathan Smith, says even though beef prices are higher than years past, farmers will only see a modest gain in profit if drought conditions continue.

“Our vegetables industry has had a tough time in the last few years. Production is down and demand has been soft but more so the availability of labor “, said Dr. Nathan Smith.

Poultry farmers are cutting production because of the high cost of chicken feed. Peanut and pecan consumption has increased, but the supplies are limited. experts are predicting favorable prices in 2012.