PHOENIX — For the second time this year, Arizona retail food prices at the supermarket increased in the second quarter of 2010, according to the latest Arizona Farm Bureau Federation Market Basket Survey.

The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 basic grocery items was $48.84, up $2.88 or 6 percent higher than the first quarter of 2010. Comparatively, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s national survey was $47.20, up $1.66 or 4 percent higher compared to the first quarter of 2010. Even with this increase, the second quarter market basket is $2.05 lower than one year ago at this time.

“Energy costs moved higher during the first quarter of the year and hit an 18-month high at the end of March,” said Arizona Farm Bureau Public Relations Director Julie Murphree. “Since that time, energy prices have declined as the economic recovery appears to have slowed. Moving forward, energy prices — a key component of food prices, particularly for highly processed foods — will continue to be largely determined by conditions in the general economy.”

Of the 16 items surveyed in Arizona, four decreased and 12 increased, compared to the 2010 first-quarter survey. The national survey shows seven decreased and nine increased.



For the complete article see the 07-21-2010 issue.

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