US supermarket prices for sixteen basic food items shot to record high levels in the third quarter due to higher costs of processing, transportation as well as increased commodity expenses.

The American Farm Bureau Federation on Thursday released figures which showed the maximum hike in retail prices of potatoes, apples, flour, cheddar cheese and apples. While prices of apples and cheddar cheese spiralled by 21%, a five-pound bag of flour cost $2.62, marking an increase of 37% from the rates a year back. Similarly five pounds of potatoes cost $3.38, signalling a surge of 32% from the prices of last year.

Data from the Federation also revealed an 11% rise in the average cost of typical weekly consumer purchases which climbed to $48.68 in the three months ending September 2008, whereas a year earlier, for the same quarter the prices stood at $44.03. Compared to the costs in second quarter this year, prices registered a 4.3% increase.

The Federation has blamed increased costs of refrigerating, processing as well as hauling food products, all of which are leaving an impact on the retail level. Other than these, commodity costs have increased as well, thus pushing up the retail prices still further.