The annual Spring Picnic Marketbasket Survey by the American Farm Bureau Federation shows higher retail prices for several foods.
The informal survey showed the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare one or more meals was $51.05, up $1.02 or 2% compared to a year ago.
AFBF attributed the increase to higher retail prices for several foods including eggs, orange juice, meat products, bagged salad, shredded cheddar and vegetable oil.
AFBF market intelligence director John Newton says eggs own the highest price increase, saying “Easter eggs are going to be a bit more expensive, 37% higher than a year ago.”
U.S. egg exports were up nearly 50% in 2017 while egg production remained flat.
Meanwhile, the price of orange juice increased 7.5%, due to the devastating hurricane late last year that came through parts of Florida, where most orange juice comes from.
The hurricane led to growers harvesting the smallest crop in 70 years.
Of the 16 items surveyed, nine increased and seven decreased in average price.
