The Food Marketing Cost Index: A New Measure for Analyzing Food Price Changes

摘要

A Marketing Cost Index to measure changes in prices of imputs used in food processing, wholesaling, and retailing is presented. Indexes are given for costs of labor, packaging materials, transportation services, advertising, fuel and power, rent, maintenance and repair, business services, property taxes and insurance, supplies, and interest. Data sources and methodology used in constructing the indexes are detailed. The indexes are useful in explaining the difference between prices farmers receive and consumers pay for food.