Drought hits specialty United States wheat

Festive spirit: A worker fixes red Chinese lanterns for the Lunar New Year celebrations in the Chinatown district of Los Angeles. Festive treats like sponge cakes and pineapple tarts are more costly to make after drought in the United States slashed harvests of wheat. -- AP

NEW YORK: Lunar New Year treats like sponge cakes and pineapple tarts are more costly to make than ever after drought in the United States slashed harvests of a specialty wheat that’s a key ingredient.

American farmers reaped 37% less soft white winter wheat this season, mostly due to excessively hot and dry conditions in the Pacific North-West where the variety is grown. Prices are up more than 50% from a year ago.