7 Fall Grocery Favorites That Have Skyrocketed in Price

You might feel like summer’s never-ending, but listen up: fall is just around the corner and soon enough it will be time for cozy jackets, warm drinks, and days spent watching the leaves change color. There is some bad news, though, which is that fall grocery items you love have gone up in price and might not be dropping any time soon.

“There are concerns over the broader global supply chain at large right now based on disruptions to the Panama Canal, due to reduced throughput of ships each day to one-third of what it was previously,” explained Amanda Oren, VP of Industry Strategy, Grocery, at RELEX.

“Freight costs for imported dry goods could increase up to 14% and freight costs for imported refrigerated goods are expected to increase 3% (this is for both raw materials and sellable products). Specific items that will likely increase in price due to Panama Canal disruptions are soybean and soybean products, grains, and bananas,” Oren continued.

“As we head into fall, some grocery items might see price hikes, so it’s smart to stock up now,” advised Terry Turner, a senior writer and financial wellness facilitator contributor for ConsumerNotice.

Based on the USDA’s Economic Research Service data, Turner noted that food prices are expected to continue rising into the fall of 2024, though at a slower rate compared to previous years. 

“Overall, food prices are projected to increase by 2.2%, which means groceries will be more expensive than last year,” explained Turner. “Grocery store prices are expected to rise by about 1%…while overall food prices will continue to rise this fall, the increases will be less dramatic than in recent years, and you might even find some items costing less.”

Here are the seven fall grocery favorites that have skyrocketed in price.

Before you draw up a menu of baked goods you’re craving in the cooler months, double-check that your grocery budget can afford all the ingredients.

“Items like flour, sugar, and butter have seen price increases of around 10-15% due to higher demand for holiday baking and supply chain disruptions,” explained Amanda Schmitt, a mommy blogger for Life As Mama.

Grilling season is almost over, which might be a sign from the shopping universe that it’s time to not buy as many meat products in the fall.

Beef and poultry prices have risen by approximately 8-12%, driven by feed costs and labor shortages in the meatpacking industry, according to Schmitt.

Terry echoed this sentiment by adding that “…some items like beef and veal could increase by 4.4% due to high demand and low supplies.”

“Beef is an item that has seen the highest increase year over year in price,” stated Shane Finnegan, VP of partnerships at Jow, who expects this to continue with our most recent data showing a 7% decrease in production from May to June, and 12% decrease from last year.

Finnegan predicted these numbers to continue to decline into 2025, resulting in a continued cost increase to the consumer.

Ready to carve up a jack-o-lantern or get a few pies in the oven? Pumpkins might not be in your price range anymore due to the increase over the years during the popular fall season.

Canned pumpkin and pumpkin puree prices have increased by about 20-25% as demand spikes during the fall season and supply struggles to keep up.

Destiny Chatman, consumer expert at TopCashback said that “…pumpkins are popular for fall recipes and decorations. Last Halloween, pumpkin prices saw a 20% price increase due to the demand for pumpkins and inflation.”

Fall is the perfect time to pick the perfect apple. However, if it does not grow on a tree that you own, you might be paying more than you expect for the delicious fruit that has become a fall staple.

Chatman pointed out the fact that “[d]ue to the upcoming fall holidays, buying apples and pumpkins now is a great way to avoid paying increased prices during the fall. Apple prices often rise in fall due to the harvest season…”

“The price of apples can go up by 10-15% in the fall due to seasonal demand and the costs associated with harvesting and storage,” Schmitt reported.

Canned goods and dried goods can not only be quick and easy meals all on their own but can add to the flavors and recipes of fall dishes that you have come to know and love. If you do not want to strain your grocery budget in the fall, try storing up for the colder months now.

“Items like dried beans and canned vegetables have seen price hikes of around 5-10%, influenced by increased transportation costs and supply chain issues,” said Schmitt.

“During fall’s colder months, canned goods tend to be more expensive,” Chatman noted.

“Everything from Thanksgiving canned cranberry sauce to canned chicken noodle soup becomes a tad more expensive,” Chatman explained. “Setting inflation aside, the fall hosts a major holiday centered around food, making canned goods pricier. Therefore, it’s a smart idea to stock up on your canned goods this fall.”

Sweet maple syrup on your pancakes is the definition of the taste of fall. Only this autumn, you might need to opt for a generic brand of non-maple syrup if you are looking to cut costs on your grocery bill.

Schmitt highlighted that prices for maple syrup have surged by 15-20% due to higher production costs and increased consumer demand.

While you might be lamenting the fact that your favorite fall food items are becoming more expensive, there is some light up ahead in the autumn months: some prices on common grocery items are predicted to go down. 

Terry predicted that eggs might actually become a little cheaper by 0.3% after being all over the place recently.

“Specific categories might even see price decreases,” added Terry. “For instance, fresh fruits and dairy products are predicted to have modest price drops, driven by improved production and reduced demand.”

Editor's note: This article was produced via automated technology and then fine-tuned and verified for accuracy by a member of GOBankingRates' editorial team.