Farm Group: Wisconsin Grocery Prices Decreased From 2015

The average price of groceries has decreased across Wisconsin, according to a survey completed by the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation.

The group’s Marketbasket Survey found 11 out of 16 common food items had lower prices in Wisconsin than last year.

Most significantly, the price of eggs is down almost 55 percent from September. Amy Eckelberg, the Farm Bureau’s director of communications, said egg prices are finally returning to normal after last spring’s outbreak of bird flu increased costs.

“Our dozen eggs were $1.34 this March compared to $2.94 last September,” Eckelberg said. “I think that’s really reflective in that they’re finally turning around.”

Milk prices continue to stay low, which Eckelberg said is a concern for dairy producers but a plus for shoppers.

“We’re definitely seeing those lower prices that the dairy farmers are seeing for their milk right now are being passed on to the customer in the store,” Eckelberg said.

The federation reported retail grocery prices have gradually increased over the last three decades. Eckelberg said many factors outside of production costs have contributed to rising prices.

“You have a lot of different things going into getting that food from the farm to your table,” Eckelberg said. “You have the energy costs, you have the marketing costs, just the difference between wholesale and the retail side of things.”

The total cost of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Marketbasket Survey was $49.70 for March, almost 7 percent less than the national average.