Farm Gate Prices Down In October

Defra's agricultural price index for all outputs fell by 1.27% in October. Inputs also fell by 1.39%. Prices were generally lower than the same time last year with outputs prices falling 9.7% and inputs prices falling 2.1%.

The price index for all crop products fell by 2.7%, fresh fruit fell by 1.36% and fresh vegetables fell by 5.11%. Maincrop potatoes fell by 11.2% and overall potatoes were down 13.5%.

Prices for animal feed fell in October with straight feed down 3.3% and compound feed down 0.1%.

Farm Gate Prices Down In May

The agricultural price index for all outputs fell by 0.8% and the API for inputs fell by 1.4% in May 2014 according to a statistical bulletin from Defra. The prices are lower than the same time last year. The API for all outputs is 8.3% lower and the API for all inputs is 3.4% lower than last year.

All crop prices are down on last year at this time. The biggest differences in output prices are with potatoes (46%), fresh fruit (27%), cereals (18%) and fresh vegetables (18%). On the inputs side, energy and lubricant prices are down for the fourth month in a row. Prices fell by 0.3% in May and are 1% lower than a year ago. Animal feed is down 1.9% on the monthly comparison and 31% down on last year. Fertiliser prices are 2.9% lower in May and 9.1% lower than the same time last year.

Agricultural Prices Down In March And Year

Prices for all outputs rose by 0.6% and the prices of all inputs was unchanged for March 2014. Prices are lower than the same last year. The price for all outputs was 6.9% lower than the same time year. The price for all inputs was 4.5% lower than the same time last year.

Crop prices are down slightly compared with last year. The poor harvest may have been to blame. Some crop prices are significantly down on last year: potatoes down 38%, fresh fruit down 23%, oilseed rape down 22% and cereals down 22%.

Strong demand for top quality fresh fruit led to a price rise of 7.7% in March. Cereals prices increased by 1.2% due to concerns over the future supply of cereals due to the political situation in the Crimea. An increase in global demand for oilseed rape and decrease in supply led to a price rise of 2.3% in March.

Sheep and lamb prices increased by 9.3% in March as supplies decreased pushing up prices. Lower levels of production of mutton and lamb than last year, down 1.8%, resulted in prices 8.7% higher than last year.

On the inputs side, energy and lubricant prices were 2.5% lower in March and 4% lower than last year. Feed prices increased by 0.5% but remain 12% down on last year. Straights rose by 2% due to increased cereal prices while compounds stayed the same.

The price of fertiliser rose by 0.4% in March but is still 8.2% lower than last year. Prices remain steady because most of the spring fertiliser market was already ordered.

API Indices Down On Last Year

The all outputs price index fell by 0.1% in February 2014 and is now 7.1% lower than the same time last year. All inputs price index increased 0.8% in February 2014 and is 4.3% lower than last February.

Sheep and lamb prices rose 5% in February and are 20% higher than last February. Demand at home and abroad and a weaker pound are making exports more competitive on the continent. Fresh fruit prices fell to 27% lower than last February and by 2.2% this February because of high prices due to short supplies after last years poor harvest.

Vegetable prices fell by 5.3% and are 8% down on last year. Cabbages, lettuce and carrots reported a significant fall in prices. The exception was cauliflowers which reported a 32% increase in price during February due to limited supplies which saw price rises.

Fertiliser prices rose 2.4% and are 7% lower than last year. Phosphates and potash prices are improving and nitrogen prices are increasing.

Change To Defra's API Base Year

The first publication of the agricultural prices index using the new 2010 base year was published by Defra on 18 July 2013. Slight changes are expected when compared to the 2005 base year price series.

The agricultural price index for all outputs in May rose by 1% and remains 12% up on last year. The price index for all inputs fell by 1.2% in May and is 4.6% higher than last year.

All outputs prices increased 1% in May and 11.8% over the year. Crop products prices increased 1.1% on the monthly comparison and 17.7% on the annual comparison. Potato prices continue to rise due to low supply of last seasons potatoes and a late start to the harvest of new season potatoes. Fresh fruit prices fell 28% in May mainly due to a 32% fall in the price of strawberries due to an increase in supply. Vegetable prices did not change much. Tomato prices fell 20% due to increased supplies of imported tomatoes. Lettuce and onion prices increased as a result of reduced supplies. Animal and animal produce prices fell slightly by 1.1% but remain 6.4% up on the same time last year.

The prices of agricultural inputs fell 1.2% in May but remain 4.6% up over the year. Motor fuel fell by 3.5% and is therefore 6.9% lower than last year. Nitrogen prices are 14% down because of lower demand and retailers are reducing prices to increase sales. Animal feeds prices remained more or less stable (-0.4%) and 15.7% above prices last year.