What the heck has gone on with dairy prices over the past couple months?

[housewolf]

I paid $3.19 for a HALF gallon of whole milk at the supermarket this afternoon - not two months ago, it was about $1.99 for the same half gallon, a full gallon at Trader Joes was about $3.00 and a pint of half and half was about $.99. Today I paid $2.69 for that same pint of half and half. A quart of whipping cream today sells for the about the same price as the half gallon I bought a while back that has a higher fat content.

I'm mystified... what's going on????

[grasswire]

1. something's up -- some prices are crazy

Two days ago I paid $2.99/pound for shelled walnuts in bulk. Today they were $6.99/pound.

I haven't noticed a great fluctuation in dairy, though. 1/2 gal milk 1.25 on sale, 1.59 regular price. Butter $2/pound, good brands. I paid 79 cents for a pint of 1/2 1/2 today; it was on sale.

[housewolf]

4. Where do you shop, Grasswire?

The prices I posted are from QFC, not the cheapest place in town but still big differences from 2 months ago and now, for AlpenRose products (except the whipping cream, it was Darigold). Actually I didn't buy the AlpenRose half & half 'cause it was $2.69 for a pint, and it was about $.99 a couple months ago.

[grasswire]

6. a Kroger chain

Isn't QFC also owned by Kroger?

None of it makes any sense. I did see butter jump dramatically right after Xmas but then the sale prices came down again.

[DrDan]

2. no fluctuations in Florida - paid $2.70 or so for a gallon last Saturday

and butter was 2.80 a pound or so

[TreasonousBastard]

3. Around here, dairy's down...

milk under 3 bucks a gallon, and I just got 3 pounds of butter for 5 bucks. Cheese, sour cream, ice cream, and 32 oz yogurts are always on sale somewhere.

[hippywife]

5. Sometimes things like this

are pegged to fuel costs for transportation and gas took a sharp rise the other day.

I buy organic milk and cream (Organic Valley brand) and haven't seen hardly any fluctuation for quite a while.

[AwakeAtLast]

7. Ours is constantly on sale

I've been paying $2.29 to $2.69 a gallon for about six months or so. Let's hope that does not continue for you!