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How does the price of soybeans, corn and other commodities affect the cost of food?

May 31, 2023
Prices received by U.S. farmers are down 2.2% since last year. But you may not feel it at the grocery store.
After record highs about a year ago, soybean prices have dropped to some of the lowest levels farmers have seen in recent years. Above, the crop being harvested in Iowa.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

A year into the Ukraine war, global food insecurity is at a record high

Feb 23, 2023
In many countries, including Egypt, staples like bread have become much more expensive and harder to come by.
Roger Anis/Getty Images

How a stronger dollar weakens economies abroad

Sep 8, 2022
Countries that import commodities priced in U.S. dollars, like oil, are paying a lot more. So are nations that have dollar-denominated loans.
If the value of the dollar climbs against a currency like the Mexican peso, Mexico's debt payments increase.
agcuesta/Getty Images

The nickel market has gone bonkers

Mar 21, 2022
Russia invading Ukraine is a big reason that prices skyrocketed.. But it's not the whole story.
A worker at a nickel mining company in northwestern Russia. The price of nickel — used in making stainless steel, electric vehicle batteries and more — shot up this month after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images

The EU has sworn off Russian steel. That could be bad news for the environment.

Mar 21, 2022
Russia makes steel the dirty, old-fashioned way. Europe hoped its trade relationship could spur a cleanup.
With the European Union's ban on Russian steel, countries might struggle to satisfy demand. But recycling could help.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Rising wheat prices stoke fears for countries importing from Russia and Ukraine

Mar 2, 2022
More than a quarter of the world's wheat exports come from Ukraine and Russia. Disruptions will affect the Middle East and North Africa most.
The Middle East and North Africa stand to be hit the hardest by high prices for wheat.
Mohammed Huwais/ AFP Getty Images

Oil prices surge — vegetable oil, that is

Feb 17, 2022
Soybean, palm and canola oils are going up, driven by extreme weather and strong demand. You'll notice it at markets and on menus.
Vegetable oil prices are at an all-time high, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. The increase is spurred partly by extreme weather.
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For public good, not for profit.

Rising commodity prices suggest more inflation is on the way

Feb 2, 2022
The cost of commodities has gone way up, and spendy raw materials suggest more inflation in 2022.
The rising cost of commodities, like coffee and soybeans, indicate that inflation will stick around.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Mismatch in supply and demand sends coffee prices higher

Jul 12, 2021
Coffee commodity prices are hitting their highest levels in years. Will consumers keep paying more?
Global coffee consumption continues to rise.
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Why is the price of silver soaring?

Individual investors are apparently fueling the increase. It's a similar strategy to what we've seen with GameStop stock.
Retail investors are now targeting big banks who have bet against the price of silver.
Bet_Noire via Getty Images