Rising food prices are a concern in the US amid tensions between Russia and Ukraine

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) – Buyers are already paying more for food, and there are concerns that prices for some agricultural products may rise even higher.

On Wednesday morning, the wholesale market for Philadelphia products was lively.

Fresh fruits and vegetables filled the 700,000-square-foot fully chilled market in South Philadelphia.

Food prices have risen around the world.

TM Kovatsevich Phila., Inc. and Garden State Farms-Procacci Brothers say they have seen rising costs in production.

“Oil prices are already $ 100 a barrel, so much of the cost of the product is the transport required to bring it to market,” said Tom Kovacevic, president of TM Kovacevic Phila., Inc.

Dave Dipascal of Garden State Farms- Procacci Brothers said: “Transportation costs have become astronomical over the past year.”

DiPascale says the cost of labor and packaging has also risen.

“Unfortunately, all this is passed on to the consumer,” he added.

Analysts say that disruptions in commodity markets, if Russia invades Ukraine, will most directly affect the largest buyers of Ukrainian wheat, including Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

“I’m sure it’s going to affect prices around the world – I don’t know how much it’s going to affect prices here – it’s something we’re going to have to wait for and see how serious it gets,” Dipascal said.

Last weekend, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture said that wheat farmers in the United States will increase production and prevent supply chain problems if the invasion threatens agricultural exports from Ukraine.

Local companies are also monitoring fuel prices.

“In general, we saw that the increase, which we had to endure due to increased fuel and transportation costs, was absorbed and did not affect traffic. Now, if it doubled again, maybe it would be a different story,” said Kavatsevich.