Farm Gate Prices Down In December

The prices farmers received for their products fell by 0.4% in December on November but is still 11.8% higher than last year. Farmers were also having to pay on average 3.2% more on the monthly comparison and 5.4% on the annual comparison for their goods and services. Main crop potatoes have almost doubled in price since December 2012 due to low yields and low quality. Cereal prices have grown by 10% from November and 38% on the annual comparison. Dessert apples' prices have increased by 9% on the month and 25% on the year. Sheep prices fell by 28% over the year due to higher volumes and cheap imports of sheep meat.