Inflation may be cooling, but food is still burning holes in wallets.
Eggs, meat, bread — the basics are rising faster than almost everything else.
Blame disease, climate, tariffs, and supply chains. Here’s where Americans are paying more, and why.
Eggs
Avian flu wiped out flocks. Supply collapsed. Prices spiked nearly 40% in the first half of 2025 — more than double since 2020.
Meat & Poultry
Beef, chicken, and fish are climbing again. Feed costs and demand keep pushing. “Meats, poultry, fish and eggs” are the fastest rising food group since 2020, up 36%.
Coffee & Drinks
From Brazil’s droughts to shipping delays, your morning cup is pricier. Coffee costs are up more than 30% from pre-pandemic, and beverage inflation is running 4–5% a year.
Bread & Baked Goods
Flour, wheat, and energy costs filter straight into the staples. Crackers, bread, and baked goods are up 42% since 2020.
Canned Goods
Trump’s steel tariffs make cans more expensive. Expect prices to climb another 9–15% this year as packaging costs pass through to shelves.
Tomatoes & Produce
A new 17% tariff on Mexican tomatoes adds fuel to the fire. Import reliance makes fresh produce especially vulnerable.
Dairy
From milk to cheese, dairy costs are sticky. CPI shows a 1–2% climb in the past year, with farmers squeezed by feed and labor costs.
Sugar & Sweets
Candy bars and cookies don’t escape inflation. The sugar index keeps rising, driven by global commodity pressure.
Fats & Oils
Volatile crops make oils unpredictable. After years of spikes, the sector is a wild card — with consumers bracing for the next jump.
Ethical & Premium Foods
“Animal welfare” and organic labels come with a 16% price premium. As basics soar, so do the premiums layered on top.
