Survey: MO food prices fall below national average

The cost of an average trip to the grocery store was $46.87 during the first quarter, compared to a national average of $52.47, according to the Missouri Farm Bureau's latest Marketbasket Survey.  

The bureau's survey is an informal comparison of 16 predetermined items representative of agricultural commodities used to prepare a variety of meals. The American Farm Bureau also tracks food prices on the same 16 items, according to a news release.

“In Missouri, our food prices regularly come in below the national average, which makes this report welcome news after last quarter’s higher-than-average prices," said Diane Olson, Missouri Farm Bureau director of promotion and education, in the release. In the fourth quarter, the state's average for the cross-section of goods was $52.01, compared to $49.23 nationwide.

During the latest quarter, prices in Missouri decreased on 12 items and increased on four. Decreases were recorded in the prices of ground chuck, sirloin tip roast, bacon, sliced deli ham, chicken breasts, eggs, apples, potatoes, orange juice, salad mix, bread and vegetable oil. Increases were found in the costs of milk, shredded cheese, flour and cereal, according to the release.



[[In-content Ad]]