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US wholesale prices pushed up by higher energy costs
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12184977
13 January 2011 Last updated at 11:05 ET

   The big rise in US energy and food costs is being replicated around the 
world, as oil prices have increased following growing demand, and the cost of 
food has risen as bad weather has hit certain crops.

   Among food products in the US, vegetables posted the biggest increase in 
wholesale prices in December, jumping 22.8%. They were followed by fresh 
fruits, which added 15%. Also on Wednesday, the US Agriculture Department 
warned that US grain prices had risen to their highest level in two and a 
half years. These price rises came as a result of a drop in corn and soya 
bean production.

   Despite the big rise in US wholesale prices, it has yet to spread across 
to consumer inflation. Analysts say this is because companies are still 
operating below full capacity, and competitive pressures were meaning they 
are so far absorbing their own price rises.