71.   Land prices in the South Bay are generally lower than the rest of the county, which has helped keep housing prices down.

72.   Large fuel reserves, continued production by oil companies and low demand due to a mild winter have kept prices down, experts say.

73.   Lower demand from Asia has pushed oil prices down even further lately, with shortages unlikely for years.

74.   Many producers have held crops back, anticipating higher prices down the road.

75.   Most are holding back, however, amid concern that anti-reform politicians will win December parliamentary elections and send share prices down even further, traders and analysts said.

76.   Numerous market forces will keep the Iraqi oil from pushing prices down too far, analysts said.

77.   Now with prices down the outlook is for declines.

78.   Once the competition gets going, there is a risk that the battle over market share will force prices down and put margins under pressure, Gerbrandt said.

79.   On the other hand, the current high prices could result in growers putting more land in production, pushing prices down later this year, he said.

80.   Oil companies declined, as the expected resumption of Iraqi oil exports pushed petroleum prices down.