Bread and Wheat

HC Deb 03 May 1989 vol 152 cc124-5W

Mr. Ralph Howell

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give for each year from 1979 to 1989(a) the price of bread to the consumer and (b) the price of wheat to the producer, in actual and at 1979 prices, showing the percentage increase or decrease in each year.

Mr. Ryder

The price information requested for bread and wheat is set out in the table. Final figures for 1988 and forecast figures for 1989 for wheat will not be available until published in "Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1989".

	Average price of standard white wrapped and sliced loaf (800g)	1Weighted average price of United Kingdom wheat at point of sale
	Actual price	21979 price	Actual price	1979 price
	Pence per loaf	Percentage change	Pence per loaf	Percentage change	£ per tonne	Percentage change	£ per tonne	Percentage change
1979	29.3		29.3		95.92		95.92
1980	33.7	15.0	28.2	-3.8	99.30	+3.5	82.96	+13.5
1981	36.3	7.7	27.2	-3.5	108.92	+9.7	81.65	-1.6
1982	37.1	2.2	25.8	-5.1	113.74	+4.4	79.21	-3.0
1983	37.6	1.3	24.9	-3.5	124.80	+9.7	82.70	+4.4
1984	38.5	2.4	24.4	-2.0	114.59	-8.2	72.57	-12.2
1985	40.2	4.4	24.1	-1.2	112.25	-2.0	67.26	-7.3
1986	43.0	7.0	24.9	3.3	111.18	-1.0	64.34	-4.3
1987	43.7	1.6	24.1	-3.2	111.00	-0.2	61.33	-4.7
1988	46.3	5.9	24.0	-0.4	3104.83	-5.6	54.32	-11.4
1989	448.7	7.5
Source: Bread prices: Employment Gazette.
Wheat prices: Annual Review of Agriculture, Agriculture in the United Kingdom 1988.
1 The wheat prices quoted are net of co.responsibility levies.
2 Using the gross domestic product deflator (at market prices).
3 Forecast.
4 January to March inclusive