It is striking the degree to which the path of global grain consumption is moved by incomes and how that will come to bear on what people around the world eat.

The food industry, once a hotbed of companies joining to build distribution, marketing and financial strength, has been relatively quiet for a longer period than normal.

No longer is it sufficient in discussing price moves to point solely or even mainly to supply-demand influences that at one time were without challenge as satisfactory ways of explaining fluctuations and pointing to future trends.

NOAA outlook calls for near normal temperatures across much of the Midwest

As consumers become more comfortable purchasing a broader range of goods and services on-line it stands to reason retailers will increasingly rely on food to retain or expand foot traffic.