Agricultural Inputs Prices Rise Again

The index of prices received by producers for all agricultural products returned to its May level of 137.5 from the June level of 137.9 in July 2010. Crop products increased from 138.6 to 139.4 but animals and animal products fell from 137.9 to 137.5. Within crop products, the cereals index increased from 142.5 to 144.6 and industrial crops from 136.5 to 157.9. Fresh vegetables fell to 127.9 from 131.1. These prices exclude subsidies.

Prices received for cereals fell again in 2009 from 207.1 in 2008 to 150.1 and industrial crops from 232.9 to 183.4 respectively. Farm gate prices for fresh vegetables also fell in 2009 from 117.5 to 113.9. The index for the total for all products fell from 143.3 to 135.8 in 2009.

The index of prices paid by producers for agricultural inputs shows that the prices paid for seed fell from 101.5 to 99.6 in Jul 2009, fertilisers and soil improvers fell to 244.3 from 245.7. Plant protection products remained unchanged at 99.9. The animal feedingstuffs index increased from 156.1 to 159.9. The overall index for agricultural inputs increased for the fifth consecutive month from 137.2 to 139.7 in July 2010.

The annual series shows that the overall index for prices paid by producers for agricultural inputs fell from 139.6 in 2008 to 132.9 in 2009.

Agricultural Prices Index For September 2009

The agricultural producer and purchase prices indices for 2008-9 to September 2009 were published by DEFRA last week. The survey includes producer price indices for cereals, industrial crops, fresh fruit and vegetables, seeds, flowers and plants and other crop products as well as for animals and animal products. The survey includes purchase price indices for seeds, energy and lubricants, plant protection products and animal feedingstuffs. It also includes costs for the maintenance and repair of plant and buildings, veterinary services, costs of other goods and services, machinery, plant and other equipment and buildings. The totals for all products and all means of agricultural production are also included in the survey.

The indices for all products were 143.3 for 2008 from 118.8 for 2007 and 130.2 in September 2009 from 130.8 in August and the indices for all the means of agricultural production were 130 for September 2009 from 131.1 in August and 139.7 for 2008 from 113.8 in 2007 (2005 = 100).