In Brief : Raw-Product Prices Rise Slightly

Prices paid to farmers for raw products rose an average of 0.7% from November to December, the Agriculture Department said today.

The department’s Agricultural Statistics Board said in its preliminary report that higher prices for hogs, lettuce, oranges and cattle were partly offset by lower prices for tomatoes, turkeys, sweet corn and strawberries.

Officials said the December price index was up 14% from a year ago.

“Hog prices increased substantially from last month’s relatively low levels, while cattle, milk, broiler and egg prices each increased slightly,” the report said.

The all-wheat price was at the highest level since May, 1981. Soybean and corn prices increased slightly since November, the report said. “Tomato and turkey prices decreased sharply from last month.”