Dry conditions and searing heat have devastated much of the Midwest popcorn crop, driving the retail price for a bag of popcorn from $20 for a 50-pound bag a few months ago to $30 today.
According to ABS-CBNnews.com, wholesale prices are expected to rise as well. Farmers in Louisiana and other southern states, where the growing season starts and ends earlier, may be able to make up some of the Midwest crop shortfall. Buyers are also looking to South America, where farmers are just starting to plant crops.