Food Costs 5 Percent More Than Last Year

Arizona food prices are up about 5 percent in the first quarter compared to the same time last year. The cost of red meat is one of the big reasons.

The Arizona Farm Bureau says sirloin tip cost $4.85 per pound two years ago and $5.94 last year. Now, they say the average is $6.49 per pound.

Spokeswoman Julie Murphree blames high demand and higher prices for feed. She says eggs might be an option for protein, but they’re up 37 cents per dozen from last year, thanks largely to high demand.

“In 2012 there was a bird virus that a lot of the flocks in Mexico , they just died,” Murphree said. “So, they were in short supply with their eggs, and so there was much more of a demand.”

Murphree says the Farm Bureau’s survey also shows high milk prices, but she expects they will decline later this year since consumption of milk usually drops in the summer.