WASHINGTON -- While retailers have been buying beef in anticipation of Labor Day specials, retail prices will get a boost in the next three to four months, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
et, which have recently been marked by an E.coli outbreak in Japan, fears related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Great Britain, and an overall summer slowdown in exports.
Pork prices for 1996 will average about 10% over last year's prices, the report said, which may hinder purchases from lower-income countries, and thus relegate more pork to the domestic market.
Poultry consumption is on the increase, with the Consumer Price Index expected to increase 3% to 4% over last year.
