Evening star., 1925-02-07
FOOD COSTS CLIMB
IN MANY STAPLES
Tumble in Wheat May Keep
Bread DoWn-GeneraI
Trend Is Upward.
BY j. C. ROYLE.


NEW YORK. February Nearly
every American In these days Of busi-
ness and Industrial activity knows
where his next meal is coming from.
1t Is coming right out of his pocket
and many are considerably worried
at present as to just how much the
next meal Is going to deplete the
pockets contents. The trend in some
of the staple articles Of food undoubt-
edly is upward. To what extent that
trend will obtain and for how long
a time. Is by no means certain.
Leaning on the staff of life costs
the consumer 10 to 20 per cent more
than Ii did a month ago. In many
sections the smaller bakers, gro
ceries and chain stores have advanced
the prices for bread, rolls and pastry.
They have run out OF supplies of flour
bought when both wheat and -four
were lower.
Larger bakers Supplied.
The larger bakers who saw 81
wheat as a possibility months ago
bought heavily on contract and still
are maintaining their old prices. 1t
Is extremely probable that they will
continue to do SO. since they have re-
peatedly asserted they considered IL
better policy to make a small profit
and Increase customers and output
than to Ak the price at ali the traffic
will bear" They count upon winning
over at least some of the business
formerly held by bakers and dealers
who have had to boost prices.
wheat Outlook Better.
The bread situation Is dependent
almost entirely on what wheat does
1t is significant that the belief is
err ftVD hAf h - ,.f
wheat has been over-emphasized and
that with good crop next Summer
in prospect the situation will be
eased. Other countries also are wor-
rying over the price Of bread, but in
America the use of wheat substitutes
does not promise to become wide
spread. Other grains also are high IN
price and use Of substitutes for wheat
-four did not become popular even
during the war. Cereal foods un-
doubtedly will follow the price trend
statistical position and prices are
high and advancing
Hogs and sheep Higher.
Hog and sheep prices are around
40 per cent higher than they were a
year ago. Cattle prices have had an
advance in that time of only about 8
ability of lower figures for meat
Then heavy marketinss of animals
last year has cut down the supply
available this season. Bacon, ham
and lard have already moved up from
the low levels of 1924 Beef has not
advanced to such a degree, but choice
cuts are expensive and always will
be. Potatoes are steady. but with no
indications of marked drops in price.
Coffee Much More Costly.
Coffee has advanced sharply, and
even indica tions of reduced consump-
tion have failed so far to bring II
down at retail. The state of Sac
Paulo. Brazil. has been successful in
regulating mark citing to keep price
up, and retailers here have small
stocks. since they have been hoping
for a marked drop in quotations and
delayed purchases to take advantage
of it,
Teas are frm and strong both here
and abroad, having been favorably
affected by the recent rise in English
exchange. Large shipments of cocoa
beans are on the way, and slightly
lower prices for products made from
them are anticipated. Sugar is low,
with little prospect of sustained ad-
vance, In view of the heavy world
~ tHis ear
Larger Egg supply.
The warmer weather has resulted
in better supply of eggs and lower
prices. but storage stocks are rela-
lively light. Butter is firm and so is
cheese. Canned fruits, vegetables and
fish are in fine demand, with higher
levels in prospect. Dried fruits are in
relatively small supply and prices
have risen in consequence. Sirups
also are up and the trade anticipates
no recession. Fresh vegetable ship
ments from the South and South
west have been good, but quotations
have been variable owing to the rapid
changes In the weather. Citrus fruit
growers are receiving excellent re-
turns for their shipments.
Taken all together, there are no
Indications that the next meal" of
the American people is going to cost
any less.