Eggs and 5 More Grocery Items Still Skyrocketing in Price
Written by
Sarah Sharkey
Edited by
Amber Barkley
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If you’ve gone grocery shopping lately, you’ve likely noticed that prices still feel high. Some key items, like eggs, are spiking in price. But throughout the store, it’s easy to find examples of higher prices, which could make your grocery budget extra tight. When it’s time to check out, you might be left with an empty wallet and a light grocery bag as you leave the store.
Explore why the cost of certain grocery items is still on the rise.
Eggs
Eggs are a staple food item for many households. Many have noted rising costs, starting with a spike during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it seems like eggs are more readily available in stores than they once were, prices are pushing higher.
“Grocery prices are continuing to rise due to a number of factors, including inflation, supply chain disruptions and an increase in demand worldwide. I have observed that higher production and transportation costs are the big culprits in rising grocery prices,” said Eric Sornoso, co-founder of Mealfan.
“Take eggs, for example,” he said. “The prices have gone through the roof because this avian flu outbreak has decimated many poultry. Besides, feed is more expensive, and the energy to do all the farm functions has risen, keeping egg prices higher.”
Egg prices fell from a high of $4.82 per dozen in January 2023 to $2.04 in September 2023. But since that low point, prices have climbed again, up to $3.81 in September 2024, according to the St. Louis Fed.
Nuts
For those who enjoy nuts, many varieties have seen rising costs in recent years. Matthew Baron, owner of Wholesale Nuts and Dried Fruit, attributes some of the higher prices to rising fuel costs and water issues in some parts of the country.
“Let me start with the Colorado River,” said Baron. “The water in the river feeds thousands of farms. The first to go down will be nuts like almonds, walnuts and pistachios. Then raisins. Then, the wine industry. Eventually, avocados. These prices will shoot up as the water level continues to go down. If this next summer of 2025 is hot, then that water will drain faster.
“The effect will be rising prices, and the laws must change to balance the needs of businesses and people.”
Additionally, high fuel costs make farming more expensive.
“All the farm equipment that runs on diesel fuel will be more expensive to run. Supermarkets will have far fewer fresh items on the shelves,” said Baron.
Beef
Beef prices, espseically ground beef prices, have been on the rise in recent months. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, ground beef prices have risen by almost 7% since October 2023.
The record high costs could be attributed to droughts and higher grain prices, both of which make it difficult to raise cattle, the American Farm Bureau Federation reported.
Bread
Whole wheat bread has increased in price by over 6% since October 2023, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For households that eat bread regularly, this spike could put a big dent into their budgets.
Some potential reasons behind the rising prices include higher energy costs and wet weather that damaged crops in some parts of the world, according to Plant Based News.
Dairy Products
Dairy products, like milk and cheese, have all seen higher prices. Even the price of ice cream has soared by over 4% since October 2023.
A lower level of milk production puts significant upward pressure on prices, Agriculture Dive reported. In addition to higher prices for milk, other related products, like cheese and ice cream, are seeing significantly higher prices too.
Fresh Produce
The costs for some fresh produce are going through the roof. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the prices of lettuce, tomatoes and oranges have each increased by over 6%. For those who love fresh fruits and vegetables, this can take a bite out of your grocery budget.
How To Save on Grocery Costs
After reading through the spiking costs for these staples, you may no longer feel like you are getting price gouged at the grocery store. But if you want to stop feeling the stress of watching your grocery bill rise in the checkout line, then consider the following strategies to save on your food costs:
- Make a meal plan. Sticking to a meal plan can help you save by cutting out impulse buys and reducing food waste. If possible, map out your meal plan around the sales at your grocery store of choice.
- Opt for generic. Store brands are often identical to the name-brand product. When possible, put the generic option in your basket.
- Cut to the basics. If you stick to the essentials, you can slash your grocery bill. For example, skipping prepared meals and gourmet ingredients can help you save big.
- Use sales to stock up on staples. Shopping the sales can help you save big on filling up your pantry. You can lean on your stockpile when you need to.
- Switch stores. Some stores offer more affordable groceries than others. Consider switching to a different shopping experience in order to save money.
- Freeze your meat. If you can buy meat at a discount before the expiration date, that can lead to big savings. You can always freeze the meat you can’t eat immediately to use at a later date.
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