If it feels like grocery shopping has left your wallet seeming a whole lot lighter than it used to, you’re not alone. These essential trips are leaving many households struggling as prices on everyday buys continue to soar. Here are some common grocery purchases that have hit record-high prices in recent years.
Eggs
Eggs are versatile, tasty, and a great source of protein, so it’s a real shame that they’ve seen an unprecedented rise in prices. Sadly, avian flu outbreaks have significantly reduced our poultry supplies, meaning fewer eggs are available on the market. This, combined with rising feed costs, has turned eggs into a surprisingly pricey commodity.
Milk
There aren’t many Americans who can go a day without milk, and yet many are now wondering if it’s time to cut back. Milk prices have climbed steadily because dairy farmers now need to spend more on things like feed, labor, and transportation.
The price hikes have affected all sorts of products, from cartons of whole milk to specialized dairy products like lactose-free and organic milk.
Butter
Speaking of dairy, butter is another staple that’s seen a significant price rise due to increased production costs and surging global demand for dairy products. We all know that butter plays a vital role in baking, cooking, and spreading, so the higher price tag has been pretty hard to ignore.
Chicken
Chicken is one of America’s favorite meats, and it’s always been a pretty budget-friendly source of protein, too. But alas, this could all be changing, as rising feed prices and labor shortages in the poultry industry have driven up costs.
Beef
You may have heard from the news that beef has hit record-high prices because of serious drought conditions and shrinking herd sizes. Unfortunately, cattle farmers have little choice but to pass their higher feed and water costs on to consumers, making things like steak and ground beef more of a luxury than a staple for many households.
Bacon
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but another favorite meat that’s been affected by price hikes is bacon. The price of this delicious classic has skyrocketed as pork production costs rise, exacerbated even further by higher feed prices and labor shortages.
Bread
It’s fair to say that one of the most commonly bought foods in all of America is bread, so you’d hope that it would always stay as affordable as possible. Unfortunately, a single loaf of bread now costs significantly more than it did just a year or two ago, thanks to rising wheat prices and increased production costs.
Flour
Flour prices have also soared alongside wheat, which has made baking at home less of a cost-saving solution than it used to be. If you’re an avid baker, these price hikes are especially frustrating, as flour has always been seen as a cornerstone of affordable home cooking.
Sugar
Another essential baking ingredient that’s pricier than it used to be is sugar. This sweet staple has been badly affected by weather issues in major sugar-producing regions and increased transportation costs.
As a result, some people are turning to natural alternatives or even reducing their sugar consumption altogether. The bittersweet benefit of this is that it both saves money and is a whole lot better for your health.
Coffee
Have you noticed that your morning cup of coffee has gotten a lot more expensive lately? That’s because bean prices are climbing due to climate issues and supply chain delays. Droughts and frost in key coffee-growing regions have also disrupted harvests, pushing costs even higher.
Cheese
It’s hard to find an American who doesn’t love cheese. But sadly, it’s not looking too gouda for us, as cheese prices have jumped as dairy production costs rise and global demand increases. All sorts of varieties, from shredded cheese to specialty varieties, have become a whole lot pricier.
Cooking Oil
As you might’ve noticed during your recent grocery trips, cooking oils like canola, sunflower, and olive oil have all become more expensive in recent times. This is largely because of supply chain disruptions and poor harvests in key producing regions.
Fresh Produce
Fresh foods like fruits and veggies are so important for our health, so it’s really sad to see them become increasingly less accessible. Those that are imported or out of season have seen especially dramatic price hikes.
Factors like transportation costs and extreme weather have all made fresh produce significantly harder to afford.
Rice
Rice is a staple ingredient all around the world, and for good reason. It’s nutritious, easy to prepare, and it’s always been pretty affordable. But sadly, prices have recently climbed due to increased demand and climate-related production issues. As a go-to for budget-friendly meals, this news has been a blow for many families.
Pasta
Pasta used to be a cheap and reliable pantry staple, but it’s just not as affordable as it used to be. Rising wheat prices and manufacturing costs have pushed up the price of everything from spaghetti to macaroni quite a bit.
Canned Goods
You may have noticed that canned vegetables, soups, and beans have all gone up in price recently. That’s mostly because of increased metal costs for packaging and higher transportation fees. These shelf-stable items are usually budget-friendly, but the recent increases make them a bit less of a bargain.
Fish and Seafood
There are plenty of seafood lovers in the States, but sadly there’s not as much accessible fresh fish as there used to be. Seafood prices have risen sharply due to overfishing, climate changes, and transportation costs.
Favorites like salmon, shrimp, and tuna are now far less accessible for the average shopper.
Frozen Foods
Many people see frozen meals and vegetables as a go-to for quick and affordable dinners. But unfortunately, rising production and transportation costs have really taken their toll on these options, leaving many shoppers to rethink their reliance on them.
Snacks
If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll be sad to hear that many packaged snacks, like chips, cookies, and crackers, have all been pushed up in price because of the rising costs of ingredients and packaging. We all deserve a sweet treat every now and then, so it’s sad that what used to be a cheap indulgence now feels like an unnecessary luxury for some.