PHILLIPS: You get hit by it about every day, the scorching heat that is gripping just about every corner of this country right now. With it, the worst drought in nearly a half century. The heat and drought combined are burning up the crops that we depend on and driving up the prices of the food that we need to eat every day. Take a look at this map. It shows just how extensive the drought is. The government says the drought is now affecting 88 percent of the nation's corn crop alone. Alison Kosik joining us out of New York. We've been talking about this. Rob Marciano was out there in the corn fields --</s>ALISON KOSIK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right.</s>PHILLIPS: -- within the past week. And why corn is so crucial to us for every day.</s>KOSIK: And here's why, Kyra. Corn is so crucial because it is in everything -- wall paper paste, even Twinkies. And that includes animal feed as well. So what would happen here is that because that animal feed is more expensive that cost gets passed on. So where should you see the biggest price hikes? In the meat you buy, in the dairy products, like milk, eggs. Those prices are going to be going up. In fact, the Agriculture Department says expect food prices to go up from 3 percent to 4 percent next year. And expect prices for poultry actually to go up first. You'll notice that first at the grocery store. That is because chickens are smaller. They grow faster. They get to your supermarket faster. And then don't forget the middle aisles on the products on the shelves, like ketchup, Ramon Noodles. Prices for those expected to rise 4.5 percent because all of those products have ingredients that are derived from corn and soybeans -- Kyra?</s>PHILLIPS: Wow. I had no idea. Wall paper paste and Twinkies.</s>KOSIK: Who knew?</s>PHILLIPS: Got my attention on that for sure. Alison, we'll be talking about this in the next few weeks. Other key points to make, U.S. officials say the countries that buy American animal feed made from corn and soybeans will be actually hardest hit by the drought in this country ever.
Drought Driving Up Food Prices