Developments in Farm to Retail Price Spreads for Food Products in 1982

Retail grocery food prices Increased 3.4 percent In 1982, half the 1981 rate and the least in 6 years. The slowdown reflected abundant supplies of farm products, weak demand, and a smaller rise in fish and Imported food prices. The farm value of USDA's market basket of foods rose only 1 percent in 1982. Farm values for most foods fell although those of fresh fruit and pork increased sharply. The farm-value share of a dollar spent at foodstores remained low at 35 percent. The farm to retail price spread of USDA's market basket of foods rose by 5.1 percent, the slowest in 5 years. Food industry marketing costs increased at half their 1981 rate, largely because of a slower rise in wages.