According to the latest Arizona Farm Bureau Federation Marketbasket Survey, Arizona retail food prices were up in the third quarter of 2017. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s Director of Market Intelligence John Newton says higher retail prices for several foods, including bacon, chicken breast and orange juice, were behind the increase.
The American Farm Bureau Federation’ survey found the total cost of 16 foods that can be used to prepare several meals was $51.13. The cost is up $1.43, or about three percent, from the survey results a year ago. Arizona Farm Bureau Federation Marketbasket Survey found the total cost of 16 basic grocery items was $48.50, up $2.44 or about 5 percent more than the second quarter of 2017 ($46.06).
Peggy Jo Goodfellow, with the Arizona Farm Bureau, stated that “compared to Arizona’s September 2016 third quarter survey total of $48.72, the 2017 third quarter Marketbasket survey shows that Arizona’s food prices have decreased a little less than 1 percent year-to-year.”
“Of the 16 items surveyed in Arizona seven decreased and nine increased compared to the 2017 second quarter survey,” reported Goodfellow. “In Arizona, off-the-shelf prices for sirloin roast showed the greatest decrease in price down $.56 cents to $6.20 a pound; vegetable oil down 41 cents to $1.41 a 32-oz bottle; white bread down 34 cents to $.97 a 20-oz loaf; salad mix down 14 cents to $2.65 a pound bag; chicken breast down 13 cents to $3.08 a pound; flour down 8 cents to $1.90 a 5-pound bag; and apples down 4 cents to $1.55 a pound.”
“Remember Arizona Farm Bureau’s Fillyourplate.org has searchable recipes, farmers’ markets and farm products,” said Murphree. “The website is now mobile friendly. So, if you’re traveling around the state and want to hunt for a local weekend farmer’s market, go to fillyourplate.org using your smart phone or tablet.”
Bacon showed the largest price increase up 83 cents to $5.57 a pound. The other items that increased in price were ground chuck up 74 cents to $3.60 a pound; deli ham up 68 cents to $4.29 a pound; toasted oat cereal up 45 cents to $2.95 for the 8.9 oz box; orange juice up 38 cents to $3.00 a half gallon; cheddar cheese up 35 cents to $4.84 a pound; potatoes up 32 cents to $2.71 a 5-pound bag; milk up 23 cents to $2.19 a gallon and eggs up 16 cents to $1.59 a dozen.”