Agricultural Prices Increase In March

The latest national statistics produced by Defra on agricultural price indices in the UK were released recently and show that prices on the whole incrased between February and March 2012 and between 2010 and 2011. The monthly index of producer prices of agricultural products for March 2012 was 169 compared with 166.2 for February, an increase of 1.02%. The annual index for 2011 was 163.7 compared with 2010 when it was 144.9,a 1.13% increase. The monthly index of purchase prices of the means of agricultural production for March 2012 was 152 compared to February's 150.3, giving an increase of 1.01%. The annual index for 2011 was 151.2 up from 135.6 in 2010 or 1.12% increase.

Agricultural Prices Back To Normal

Agricultural producer and purchase prices were returning to normal in January after the traditional Christmas products prices seasonal peaks.

Onion prices were being affected by greater supplies and low demand and cauliflower prices have seen considerable rises caused by increased demand.

The monthly series index of producer prices of agricultiral products for the total of all products reached 162.7 in January from 162.4 in December 2011. The corresponding monthly series index of purchase prices of all means of agricultural production for January 2012 was 140.6 from 153.2 in December 2011.

An Increase In Agricultural Price Indices In September

The index of prices received by producers for the total of all agricultural products for September 2011 was 165.7, up from 159.2 in August.

The index of prices paid by producers for the total of all means of agricultural production for September 2011 was 153.1, up from 153.0 in August. The slight increase in purchase prices being covered by the larger increase in production prices. There was an increase in the price of fuel. Confidence is returning to cereals markets after fears of bad harvest weather subsided and prices retruned to normal after increasing earlier in the year. Potato prices started well this year as bad weather reduced availability. News of adequate harvests reduced fears and prices came down again.

Milk prices have increased steadily over the last 18 months with good demand and supply ensuring a good market. Good market conditions also apply to the beef market. Sheep and lamb prices have been sustained but prime prices are beginning to tail off.

Agricultural Prices Squeezed In August

Defra released the latest agricultural prices index statistics yesterday. The monthly series shows that the index of producer prices for the total of all products fell 1.3 points from 160.3 points in July 2011 to 159 points in August. The monthly index of the purchase prices for all means of agricultural production increased by 0.7 points from 152.3 to 153 points.

The annual series shows that the index of producer prices for all means of agricultural production increased by 5.7 points from 129.9 to 135.6 points between 2009 and 2010. The index of producer prices for the total of all products increased between 2009 and 2010 from 136 points to 144.4 points, an increase of 8.4 points over the year.

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).