As the pandemic continues to beef up grocery expenses, consumers are feeling more and more the pressure to make sure their shopping lists still reflect their family needs while still fitting within their budgets. In this article, we take a look at how popular grocery items have seen their prices change over the past year since the coronavirus crisis began.
Ground beef, chicken, and pork have all seen their prices rise as supplies have dropped and the demand has skyrocketed. Ground beef rose from a grocery store average of $3.80/pound to closer to $4.50/pound. This could be more or less depending on where you live, but increases are generally across the board. The same can be said for chicken, which has risen from $1.50/pound to $2.60/pound over the past year. Pork also saw an increase in price, rising from $3.50/pound in late 2020 to an average of $4.50/pound today.
Many other staple groceries have seen slight increases too, such as milk and eggs. Milk (regardless of type) has seen a modest rise from $3.25/gallon to $3.50/gallon over the past year. Eggs have also risen from $1.75/dozen to around $2.25/dozen. While these increases may seem small, they can quickly add up when shopping for a family.
It’s important to note that not every grocery item has become more expensive. Certain frozen fruits and vegetables, such as peas and corn, have decreased slightly from $1.30/pound to around $1.10/pound in the same timeframe. There are also certain items such as canned goods, rice, and noodles that have experienced small price decreases over the same period.
As a whole, the grocery shopping experience has certainly become more expensive within the past year. Sticking to what you need and avoiding items that could be luxury purchases can help keep your bill lower and more manageable. Don’t forget to also take advantage of online deals and bulk purchases, as these can help save you some extra cash. Stay safe and be mindful of the prices changing around you.
