The Times quarterly survey of the cost...
The Times quarterly survey of the cost of goods and services commonly purchased by Southern California residents found a steep decline in the average monthly residential bill for natural gas as consumption dropped with the warming weather. The savings, however, were offset by a significant increase in sewer rates and a rise in the cost of a gallon of gasoline beyond the normal seasonal increase. At local markets, sharp increases were registered in the prices of broccoli and navel oranges. The Times surveys the same five Southland markets at the end of each month to compile a snapshot of consumer prices in area grocery stores.
Highlight: A significant decrease in the price of eggs over the last quarter can be attributed largely to an oversupply of product nationally, according to Jim Derby, market reporter for Market News Service. In recent years, older birds have been replaced by younger, more productive layers. After 10 bad years for the egg industry, during which egg consumption and profits declined, consumption decreases have leveled off over the last 18 months. Several factors contributed to the consumption declines, including growing numbers of breakfast skippers and working mothers, a greater variety of breakfast choices on the market and the cholesterol scare. Aggressive ad campaigns aimed at minimizing the perception of the potentially harmful cholesterol content of eggs appear to be an effective factor in stabilizing consumption levels, according to Robert Pierre, president of the California Egg Commission.
March June % Chg. Shelter Rent (2-bedroom, $859.23 $874.27 +2% unfurnished) Utilities**** Natural gas $43.70 $17.32 -60% Telephone $27.69 $27.42 -1% Electricity DWP (400 kwh) $39.03 $41.66 +7% Southern California $56.61 $61.00 +8% Edison (500 kwh) Water and sewer $41.74 $46.71 +12% Water (DWP) $27.50 $28.94 +5% Groceries Chicken (per lb., $1.43 $1.49 +4% best of fryer cut up) 13-oz. can of coffee $2.51 $2.42 -4% 1 dz. eggs $1.96 $1.57 -20% (grade AA large) 24-oz. wheat bread $2.07 $2.14 +3% 1 lb. pinto beans $0.65 $0.55 -15% 10-lb. bag $1.41 $1.57 +11% of potatoes Navel oranges $0.58 $0.69 +19% (per lb.) 1 gal. $2.69 $2.75 +2% homogenized milk 1 lb. broccoli $0.75 $0.89 +19% (fresh) 8-oz. package $1.77 $1.64 -7% of chocolate candy Six-pack beer $4.53 $4.52 ** (12-oz. cans) 1 doz. corn $0.52 $0.59 +13% tortillas 10-lb. bag $6.64 $6.18* -7% dry dog food Super-concentrated $6.97 $7.63* +9% detergent (30-load) Toilet tissue $1.22 $1.40 +15% (4-roll package) Eating out Fast-food cheeseburger $0.86 $0.87 +1% Other goods and services 1 gal gas. $1.083 $1.310 +21% (unleaded self-serve) 3-pack, boys Size $4.04 $4.48 +11% 12 cotton briefs Dry cleaning man’s $7.84 $7.75 -1% two-piece suit Professional $48.24 $48.25 ** drain cleaning Manicure $7.60 $7.60 unchg.
* Includes at least one sale price. ** Less than 1% change.
*** Out of season. **** Monthly residential average provided by the utilities.
