The U.S. Food and Fiber Sector: Energy Use and Outlook: A Study of the Energy Needs of the Food Industry

Excerpts from the report: In 1970, an estimated 12-13 percent of all U.S. energy was consumed for food production, processing, preservation, and cooking. By major industry group, 24 percent of the total was used in input manufacturing and on farms, the processing industry accounted for 39 percent, and commercial firms and homes used 37 percent of the energy consumption in the food system. Determining fuel needs in the food and fiber system, however, is difficult. Prior to 1974 fossil fuel and electric power were relatively cheap inputs and detailed statistics on their use were not available. Even now, only fragmentary data exist for most subsectors of the food and fiber system. Such inadequacies have hampered FEA [Federal Energy Administration] allocation efforts. To help bridge this information gap, this report examines fuel use in the food and fiber system. It focuses on current fuel and the impacts of higher fuel prices and shortages on farm input supply, farm production and rural living, food processing and storage, and marketing and distribution of farm products to consumers. It traces shifts and trends in practices in fuel use in the various subsectors and estimates fuel demand and the impact of higher prices on future agricultural production and retail food prices. The report also examines the current fuel allocation program as it relates to the food and fiber system and identifies areas in the system where energy may be conserved.