Consumers can expect the worst US drought in 50 years to cast a
shadow across food prices throughout 2013, according to fresh
government data released Wednesday. The estimates are the first
to capture the effects of this summer’s drought in America’s
heartland, and show food prices increasing at a rate well above
normal expectations. “We’re expecting another year of tough food
prices, bad news for consumers,” said USDA food economist
Richard Volpe. “The difference between normal and higher than
normal in this case is one hundred percent attributable to the
drought,” Volpe said. The food price index data is released by
USDA each month; it is a set of numbers that indicates how much
an average shopper is likely to pay at the supermarket. Twice in
the last five years, rising food prices triggered global waves
of social unrest. With drought baking U.S. crops, another round
of soaring, society-straining price spikes may happen in coming
months. “The drought is clearly going to kick prices up. It
already has. What