This article emphasizes drought conditions as one of the main culprits. However, it also admits that “the growing season has had a slower start due to cooler and wetter than normal weather.”
It’s not a pretty picture.
Your government may be telling you that inflation is under control.
However, “retail beef prices at grocery stores averaged a record $5.29 per pound in 2013,” to Dr. Christopher Hurt, an agricultural economist at Purdue University. “I expect that to be $5.63 a pound this year—nearly a 7 percent increase.”
The number of beef cow herds is at its lowest since 1962, says Hunt, who expects beef supplies to drop 5 percent in 2014. He also expects a 7 percent increase in pork prices.
In fact, prices for overall animal proteins are up 5.1 percent this year compared with the same time last year. Eggs, in particular, are up almost 10 percent.
Vegetable prices even worse
According to a new Arizona State University study, some types of produce are likely to see a serious price hike this summer: lettuce (a whopping 34 percent increase!), avocados, broccoli, grapes, tomatoes, melons, peppers, berries and corn. Packaged salads are also expected to jump by 13 percent.
Slower start to growing season due to cooler and wetter than normal weather
This article emphasizes drought conditions as being one of the main causes of the price increases.
However, in addition to the drought, the article admits that “the growing season has had a slower start due to cooler and wetter than normal weather. And Hurt suspects this could impact grains and oilseeds, which could affect prices for cereals, baked goods and vegetable oils.”
http://money.msn.com/personal-finance/10-tips-for-grocery-shopping-on-a-budget