Wisconsinites are finally seeing some relief in the grocery aisle. From October to December, food prices in the state dropped nearly 2%, according to the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. Communications Director Paul Ketring says "it had to happen" after many quarters of price increases.
Ketring says farmers had been feeling-the-pinch of high costs of fertilizer,seed and fuel. With cheaper fuel recently, the savings are being passed onto consumers. Although the dropping fuel prices have provided some relief, farmers still have high input costs.
Another reason for the food prices going down is global economic slowing has resulted in less demand for agricultural exports.
A gallon of whole milk went down $.19 and shoppers paid less for items like ham, ground sirloin and flour. Some items went up in price slightly including pork chops, whole chickens, eggs, sugar and tomatoes.