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Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

The UN and other agencies have been warning about the rising costs of basic staples, such as wheat and corn. Such things are priced in commodities markets, and have seen a large increase over the last year.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7281686.stm

Some prices have gone up here in Mexico at the local level, but I haven't noticed flour or bread rising as yet...I make a lot of my own breads and flour seems to be at the same price. How about where you are in Latin America?

nineisone · Joined: 23 Jun 2006 Posts: 187

Can't speak for L.A. but pizza makers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan went on strike with their supplier over the escalating price of flour.

Increasing Food Costs is the underrated story of the economic downturn here and also getting some play in the far east media.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

It's staying about the same here in Peru.

MELEE · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 12:46 am Post subject:

We get conflicting news here.
Radio commercials urging people not to panic because "in fact we have a surplus of corn right now." Some prices have gone up, but that tends to happen every Jan-Feb around here. Luckily my salary goes up every Jan too Cool

.
I haven't noticed a major increase in anything. I make most of my own bread and we planted corn this year so we've got our own tortillas now too (I don't make those--the housekeeper does.)

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 1:24 am Post subject:

Things are certainly on the rise here. I have some theories about why, but they may not fit into this topic.

Salaries are holding steady, as are the prices of most big things, like cars and houses. Everyday items have gone through the roof, though. My weekly grocery bill, previously 30 to 40 dollars (one year ago), is around 50 to 60 now. I bake my own bread, as well, Guy, and flour has doubled.

Best,
Justin

PS- nice that teacher salaries are good enough to take it, but it aint right!

misterbrownpants · Joined: 04 Apr 2004 Posts: 70

yes the prices down here are slowly increasing..
2 years ago 1kg of flour was at 10 pesos
now its 21 pesos...
small things like that..
milk is more expensive and all other dairy products...
veggies are expensive as well with all the rain!
salaries are not at all equal to a decent standard of living...
but alas... what can you do?

Sabine11 · Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 6:31 pm Post subject:

It's hard to tell here in Argentina, inflation is a constant problem.. Food prices have been creeping up on a constant basis.

Especially with the recent dispute between the Government and farmers..

S.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

Things that are based on the USD are starting to go up as it plummets.

Vanica · Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 368 Location: North Carolina

FYI, there's a sign in the baking section of the supermarket here in Montreal that says, in essence, Rising world costs have forced wheat prices up. Please don't complain at the register.

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

I haven't noticed those things going up specifically, but in general my grocery bill has gotten slightly higher over the past few months.

John Hall · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:44 pm Post subject:

I know my food bill has gone up this year. I am starting to believe that eating Corn Flakes for breakfast will soon be a thing of the past! I guess that I had better stick to a Costa Rican breakfast of gallo pinto, white cheese, eggs, and sausage.

Here in Costa Rica there has been a spike in the cost of public transportation in the last few weeks like I have never seen before. Last year I was paying 300 Costa Rican colons for the bus; it is now up to 385!

nikon · Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 4:17 pm Post subject:

I'm a latinofile, but working in saudi- inflation is expected to reach 10% and the economy is based on the dollar here.
food prices are on the rise!

kingkristopher · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 62

Costs are sky-rocketing here in Panama. Of course, we use the USD so we feel it's devaluation acutely. The "canasta basica" has seen an increase of almost 50%. That's basic things like rice, corn, bread and milk among others. Frankly, I don't know how the average Panamanian survives on what he makes anymore. Things are getting tight for me and I make much more than they do. Something's gotta give.

pirateinpanama · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 93 Location: Panama City, Panama

ditto !
What my colleague did not mention was the rise in the cost of beer. That's up from .40 to .50... at the supermarket. And the price of a single banana from. 05 to .10
There's some real piracy happening here now. Much of it revolves around real estate. Profiteers are in abundance. If you make it this way, I suggest you have a pocketful of cash.

Kris, good to see you back on the schedule !

Cool

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

fruits and tomatos have gone up in prices. But the dollar has acutally started to go up for the first time in months.