For the first quarter of 2009, shoppers reported the average price for a half-gallon of regular whole milk was $2.16, down 22 cents from the prior quarter. The average price for 1 gallon of regular whole milk was $3.15, down 67 cents. Comparing per-quart prices, the retail price for whole milk sold in gallon containers was about 25 percent lower compared to half-gallon containers, a typical volume discount long employed by retailers.

The average price for a half-gallon of rBST-free milk was $3.19, down 26 cents from the last quarter and nearly 50 percent higher than the reported retail price for a half-gallon of regular milk ($2.16).

The average price for a half-gallon of organic milk was $3.71, up 1 cent compared to the third quarter and approximately 70 percent higher than the reported retail price for a half-gallon of regular milk ($2.16).

Compared to a year ago (first quarter of 2008), the retail price for regular milk in gallon containers decreased by 17 percent while regular milk in half-gallon containers decreased 10 percent. The average retail price for rBST-free milk dropped about 3 percent in a year's time. The average retail price for organic milk in half-gallon containers went up and down slightly throughout the year, rising about 2 percent in the first quarter of 2009 compared to a year ago.

For the first quarter of 2009, the average price for one dozen regular eggs was $1.50. The average price for “cage-free” eggs was $2.93 per dozen, around 95 percent more per dozen than regular eggs.

Regular eggs and “cage-free” eggs dropped in retail price by about 30 percent and 2 percent, respectively, between the first quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009.