5 Supermarket Staples That Are Still Expensive

Grocery prices are still up even as overall inflation slows

Donna Fuscaldo,

AARP

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En español

Published January 19, 2023

/ Updated July 16, 2024

A carton of eggs with a five dollar bill

AARP photo collage (Source: Getty Images (2))

Inflation is easing, but you wouldn’t know it from a trip to the supermarket.

Gas prices are down as of the most recent consumer price index, but food at home costs 1.1 percent more year-over-year.

The culprits behind elevated food prices in certain categories are lingering structural problems like extreme weather that affects supply and strong demand.

“Structural and acute challenges are what drove inflation to get out of control in 2021 and 2022,” says Tom Bailey, a senior consumer food analyst at Rabobank. “The structural challenges are not something that will go away. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see 3 to 4 percent inflation in broad terms for food for several years.”

Take eggs: Prices are no longer up 59.9 percent over the previous 12 months as they were in December, but they still cost 10.2 percent more than they did at this time last year. A big reason is the avian flu. Chickens that produce eggs have a longer life cycle than the ones raised for meat, and they are more susceptible to avian flu outbreaks. An outbreak in March is affecting supply, which drives prices up.

“It’s a more persistent problem for layers versus birds that go into meat production,” Bailey says.

Adverse weather events such as this summer’s heat wave can affect cattle production and thus prices for beef and meat. Butter is another product that still costs more, mainly because of strong demand and lower milk supply.

With all that in mind, here’s a look at five supermarket staples that are pricier in 2024.

1. Eggs

Average price: $2.72 per carton

Year-over-year increase: 10.2 percent

Options: Savings are hard to come by when supply is low — which is the case for eggs. You’re not going to find discounts, buy-one, get-one-free deals or coupons, says Kristin McGrath, shopping expert with RetailMeNot. Short of not buying eggs or using a protein substitute, there aren’t ways to save, she says.

2. Butter

Average price: $4.20 per pound

Year-over-year increase: 6.9 percent

Options: As with eggs, there are few ways to save on butter other than to use an alternative such as margarine, the cost of which is down 1.1 percent in June, a whole lot cheaper than butter.

“At what point will consumers start saying, ‘Put margarine on my toast’ again?” Bailey says.

3. Lettuce

Current price: $1.69 for iceberg and $2.83 for romaine

Year-over-year increase: 2.5 percent

Options: Prices have come down a lot from double-digit increases last year, but lettuce is still pricier than a year ago. Try other leafy greens such as kale, cabbage and brussels sprouts. They tend to be cheaper and last longer. “Getting greens in your diet doesn’t require lettuce,” McGrath says.

4. Orange juice

Current price: $4.26 for a frozen concentrate, 12-ounce can

Year-over-year increase: 20.2 percent

Options: Record high prices have everything to do with extreme weather and disease that hurt orange groves in some of the world’s top producers, including Florida and Brazil. “Florida lost the majority of its orange crops,” Bailey says. “That’s a big part of why we see juice prices where they are.” The only way to save in the current environment is to consider an alternative. People will get to the point when they have less or go with an alternative, Bailey says.

5. Beef and pork

Current price: $9.93 per pound for bone-in rib eye roast and $4.40 per pound for pork chops

Year-over-year increase: 3.5 percent for meats and 3.8 percent for pork

Options: Ground beef costs 5.1 percent more than a year ago, and pork chops are 7.4 percent more expensive. Prices may not fall soon, but you can buy in bulk, portion the meat out and freeze it for a later date. You can also wait until meat goes on sale, then stock up. Or look for manager markdowns, when grocery store staff lowers prices on items near their expiration date.

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Donna Fuscaldo is a contributing writer and editor focusing on personal finance and health. She has spent over two decades writing and covering news for several national publications including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Investopedia and HerMoney.