Laurie Merrill

The Republic | azcentral.com

Compared with this time last year%2C Arizona%27s food prices have increased 9 percent%2C according to the quarterly survey released this week.

The biggest price jump was for boneless chicken breasts%2C which rose 24 cents%2C to %244.41 a pound.

An epidemic has killed millions of baby pigs across the United States since 2013. Bacon averaged more than %246 a pound in May%2C nearly 19 percent more than the previous year.

Arizonans are spending more for groceries this year than last, and prices are expected to keep rising, according to the Arizona Farm Bureau Federation Survey.

Compared with this time last year, Arizona's food prices have increased 9 percent, according to the quarterly survey released this week.

"We're anticipating food prices will be up for all of 2014," said Julie Murphree, Arizona Farm Bureau communication director.

Prices also surged in the second three months of 2014 compared to the first three months, according to the report.

The biggest price jump was for boneless chicken breasts, which rose 24 cents to $4.41 a pound.

Other increases this quarter include:

Ground chuck, up 19 cents to about $4.06 a pound.

Bagged potatoes, up 19 cents to about $3.09 for a 5-pound bag.

Apples, up 18 cents to $1.41 for a 5-pound bag.

Milk, up 12 cents to $2.81 a gallon.

Eggs, up 8 cents to $2.35 a dozen.

Shoppers at the Bashas' Supermarket, 10631 N. 32nd St., Phoenix, said Wednesday the high cost of groceries is a concern.

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"All the food prices have gone up," coupon-clipper Terry Bee said. "I think they have gone up for the fourth of July."

"I buy milk and eggs all the time because I have kids," said Evie Kriegbaum, whose cart included "superexpensive" organic milk. "Literally everything seems higher than it did a few years ago."

She may be right. According to the Marketbasket Survey, ground chuck last year at this time cost $3.52 a pound and is now $4.06, up 54 cents. Sliced ham was $3.69 and is now $4.59, up 90 cents. Sirloin tip roast last year was $5.69 and now costs $6.45, up 74 cents.

Arizona's drought has raised beef prices since last year. Also, a virus infecting Arizona's pigs is spiking pork prices, Murphree said.

"It's been a tough year," Murphree said.

A pig disease called porcine epidemic diarrhea virus has reduced Arizona pork supply and raised prices, Murphree said.

"It was just devastating," Murphree said of Arizona piglet fatalities. "It was heartbreaking."

The epidemic has slain millions of baby pigs across the United States since 2013. Bacon averaged more than $6 a pound in May, nearly 19 percent more than the previous year.

The federal government in June gave conditional approval to a vaccine that would help boost immunity in sows, which they would pass along to the piglets.

The warmer weather is also expected to slow the disease, which inflicts the babies with diarhhea, causing severe dehydration.

Higher beef prices are in part attributed to a 2012 drought, which forced ranchers to send millions of bovines to slaughter nationally.

Murphree, who grew up on a farm, said she would rather forgo chips and soda than red meat, which she said is highly nutritious.

"Because I love beef, I will still purchase my lean cuts of meat this weekend," Murphree said. "I'm planning on purchasing a variety of cuts including ground chuck for hamburgers."

For more information on the farm report, go to www.azfb.org.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.