Florida Grocery Prices Among Nation's Highest Amid Rising Diesel Costs
A recent pricing study highlighted by The Daytona Beach News-Journal indicates that Florida's grocery prices are among the highest in the United States. A basket of 30 staple items at Walmart locations in Florida averaged $134.35, compared to the national average of $132.57. This places Florida eighth highest in the nation for grocery costs, with Alaska ($152.20) and Hawai'i ($145.63) having higher averages, and New Jersey ($125.85) the lowest. August figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show continued price increases in several grocery categories, including turkey and other poultry (up 11.5%), instant coffee (up 11%), beef roasts (up 8.4%), frozen fish and seafood (up 8.2%), and tomatoes (up 5.8%). However, some items saw price drops, such as eggs (down 23%), butter (down 8.3%), cheese and related products (down 3.8%), and fresh whole chickens (down 3%).