Food prices higher so far in 2006 Anne Fitzgerald Register Agribusiness Writer April 3, 2006 Consumers may have a beef with their grocers. Prices at the checkout counter cost 5 percent more in the three months that ended March 31, compared to the fourth quarter of 2005, the American Farm Bureau Federation reported today in the results of its latest market basket survey. Sixteen items included in the national, quarterly survey cost a total of $40.73, up $1.90 from the quarter ending Dec. 31, the trade group said. Topping the list of largest per pound price increases were: cheddar cheese, up 50 cents to $3.89; ground beef, up 30 cents to $2.84; sirloin tip roast, up 20 cents to $3.85, and pork chops, up 15 cents to $3.39 per pound. By contrast, price decreases ranged from 1 to 6 cents per gallon of whole milk, per dozen eggs, or per pound of potatoes and bacon. Economists blamed high energy costs for the increases.