The U.S. Department of Agriculture is reporting that reserves of corn have hit their lowest level in over 15 years. The high demand for corn could put upward pressure on food prices in 2011.
The USDA says demand for corn in the ethanol industry is up 50 million bushels after record-high production in December and January. That has left the United States with the lowest surplus of corn since 1996.
Scott Gerlt is a Crop Analyst with the University of Missouri. He says high corn prices could increase the cost on everything from ethanol to food and feed.
“The corn market is definitely a changing market. With ethanol policy we have a lot more demand and so we are going to have a lot more pressure on prices. Because even though we have a lot of supply there’s just so much demand a lot of that supply is getting used up and we’re just not left with much at the end of the day,” Gerlt says.
Corn prices have already doubled in the last six months, rising from $3.50 a bushel to more than $7 a bushel.
The USDA says demand for corn in the ethanol industry is up 50 million bushels after record-high production in December and January. That has left the United States with the lowest surplus of corn since 1996.
Scott Gerlt is a Crop Analyst with the University of Missouri. He says high corn prices could increase the cost on everything from ethanol to food and feed.
“The corn market is definitely a changing market. With ethanol policy we have a lot more demand and so we are going to have a lot more pressure on prices. Because even though we have a lot of supply there’s just so much demand a lot of that supply is getting used up and we’re just not left with much at the end of the day,” Gerlt says.
Corn prices have already doubled in the last six months, rising from $3.50 a bushel to more than $7 a bushel.
Adam Allington, St. Louis Public Radio
