Arizona Retail Food Prices Up 2 Percent in Third Quarter '07

Phoenix, Ariz., October 11, 2007 – Retail food prices at the supermarket increased for the fourth straight time in the third quarter of 2007, according to the latest Arizona Farm Bureau Federation Marketbasket Survey. The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 basic grocery items in the third quarter of 2007 was $49.90, up about 2 percent or $1.28 from the second quarter of 2007, while the American Farm Bureau Federation survey was $44.03, up about 2 percent or $1.08 from the second quarter of 2007. For the last 21 years Arizona Farm Bureau has conducted an annual Thanksgiving Holiday Marketbasket but has begun a quarterly market basket beginning the fourth quarter of 2006.
 
Of the 16 items surveyed, four increased, six decreased and six stayed the same in the Arizona average price compared to the 2007 second-quarter survey. The national survey shows eight increased, seven decreased and one stayed the same. Compared to one year ago, the overall cost for the marketbasket items showed an increase of 15 percent in Arizona. The national survey showed an increase of about 7 percent. 
 
In Arizona the largest quarter-to-quarter increase was cheddar cheese, up $1.40 to $3.99 a pound. Bacon was up 39 cents to $3.79 a pound; Ground chuck and Eggs were up 20 cents to $ 3.85 a pound and $1.99 per dozen, respectively. Nationally, regular whole milk showed the largest price increase, up 48 cents to $3.94 per gallon, followed by cheddar cheese, which rose 35 cents per pound to $4.07.  
 
In Arizona, Sirloin tip roast and pork chops showed the greatest decrease in price down 26 cents to $4.99 a pound; Kraft mayonnaise was down 20 cents to $3.49 per 32-oz jar; white bread was down 10 cents to $1.49 per 20-oz loaf; whole chicken fryers down 6 cents to $1.49 per pound; and Russet potatoes down 3 cents to $2.49 for five pounds.
 
Prices remained the same on Red Delicious apples at $1.49 a pound; whole milk at $4.09 a gallon; all-purpose flour at $2.49 for five pounds; corn oil at $2.99 for a 32-oz bottle; vegetable oil at $2.79 for a 32-oz bottle and toasted oat cereal at $3.49 for a 10-oz box.
 
As retail grocery prices have gradually increased, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped over time.
 
“In the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures on average. That figure has decreased steadily over time and is now just 22 percent, according to Agriculture Department statistics,” said American Farm Bureau Economist Jim Sartwell.
 
Using that percentage across the board, the Arizona farmer’s share of this quarter’s $49.90 marketbasket total would be $10.98
 
The Farm Bureau Marketbasket Survey is unscientific, but serves as a gauge of actual price trends across the state. Bargain shoppers statewide should find individual items at prices comparable to the Farm Bureau survey averages. Shoppers involved in this survey were asked to identify the best in-store price, excluding promotional coupons and special deals.
 
About Arizona Farm Bureau
The Arizona Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving and improving the Agriculture industry through member involvement in education, political activities, programs and services. Go to www.azfb.org to learn more. As a member services organization, individuals can become a member by contacting the Farm Bureau. For information on member benefits call 480.635.3606.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Second quarter-2007
 
Third quarter-2007
 
 
 
Arizona
National
 
Arizona
National
Red Delicious apples
 
 $    1.49
 $   1.45
 
$    1.49
 $     2.90
Russett potatoes, 5 lbs
 $    2.52
 $    2.34
 
   $    2.49
 $     2.57
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ground Chuck, lb.
 
 $    3.65
 $    2.85
 
$    3.85
 $      2.86
Sirloin tip roast, lb.
 
 $    5.25
 $    3.99
 
$    4.99
 $      3.86
Center cut port chops, lb.
 $    5.25
 $    3.63
 
$    4.99
$     3.39
Bacon, lb.
 
 
 $    3.40
 $    3.44
 
$    3.79
$     3.60
Whole fryers, lb.
 
 $    1.55
 $    1.28
 
$    1.49
$     1.28
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Whole milk, gallon
 
 $    4.09
 $    3.46
 
$    4.09
$     3.96
Mild cheddar cheese, lb.
 $    2.59
 $    3.72
 
$    3.99
$     4.07
Eggs, one dozen large, Grade A
 $    1.79
 $    1.56
 
$    1.99
$     1.51
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
All-purpose flour 5 lbs.
 $    2.49
 $    1.92
 
$   2.49
 $     1.91
Mazola corn oil, 32 oz.
 $    2.99
 $    2.78
 
$   2.99
$     3.01
Crisco vegetable oil, 32 oz.
 $    2.79
 $    2.66
 
$   2.79
$     2.73
Kraft mayonnaise, 32 oz.
 $    3.69
 $    3.43
 
$   3.49
$     3.42
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cheerios, 10-oz. Box
 
 $    3.49
 $    2.86
 
$   3.49
$     2.90