Produce, Egg Prices Soar At Supermarket

CHICAGO (CBS) – Shoppers are paying a lot more green to get those fruits and vegetables.

As CBS 2's Suzanne LeMignot reports, the drought in California has led to shortages of foods like cauliflower and broccoli.

"It's probably two to three times what they would normally pay. That's what the prices are going to be and they're staying there for a longer period of time," said Peter Testa, president and CEO of Testa Produce here in Chicago.

As Testa walks through the store's main cooler, he explains at least 80 percent of the produce we eat comes from California.

"Citrus has gone up unbelievably. Probably double and triple also. Supply is the major problem with citrus because citrus is out of the San Joaquin Valley. The San Joaquin Valley is the hardest hit area in California right now."

Bird flu has sent the price of your eggs soaring, too.

Jesus Villicano, manager at Meadow Brook Egg Co., said a dozen eggs cost about $1.50 more, compared with last year.

There is one silver lining.

Testa says when the local season starts, prices will drop when the local produce becomes available, especially when there are more choices and more supply.