17 Everyday Foods That Have Become Outrageously Expensive

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Is it just me, or do grocery runs these days feel like a personal attack on your bank account? I can’t be the only one feeling the pinch. Foods we once tossed into our carts without a second thought are now giving us serious sticker shock. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of groceries has jumped 20% since 2020.

Take olive oil, for example. Thanks to record-breaking droughts in Spain, the price of this Mediterranean must-have has soared by a whopping 60% this year alone.

“Rising costs are hitting every link in the food chain, from farmers to consumers.” And let’s be honest—Americans are feeling it hard. The sky-high cost of fresh produce and your morning coffee habit now rival your rent; these price spikes are forcing us to rethink how (and what) we eat.

So, what’s really driving these costs? And which everyday foods are hitting your wallet the hardest? Is it avocados or bacon? Read on to discover the 17 Everyday Foods That Are Bleeding Your Wallet.

Coffee

Everyday Foods That Have Become Outrageously Expensive — Image Credit: Th78blue/Wikimedia Commons

Coffee prices have soared due to climate change disrupting key growing regions and logistical challenges. Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer, experienced severe droughts and frosts that have damaged crops. According to the International Coffee Organization, global coffee prices increased by over 30% between 2020 and 2023.

Eggs

Egg prices skyrocketed during 2022-2023 due to avian influenza outbreaks that wiped out millions of hens. The outbreak caused a significant drop in egg production, with the USDA reporting that American egg inventories were down 29% at the end of December 2022 compared to the start of the year.

This led to significant supply chain disruptions. Despite slight stabilization, prices remain higher than pre-pandemic levels. In 2021, the average price of a dozen eggs was $1.67; in 2024, the average price was $3.37. This is an increase of about 100%.

Bacon

Bacon prices have climbed due to increased feed costs for pigs and labor shortages in meatpacking plants. Additionally, rising demand has outpaced supply in recent years. Bacon prices averaged $6.26 per pound in July 2024, up 11.8% compared with July 2023. With costs soaring, some households are substituting bacon with turkey alternatives or skipping it altogether.

Sugar

The cost of sugar has hit a 12-year high due to climate-related production issues, including droughts and floods in major producing countries like Brazil and India. The US sugar industry has regulations that limit domestic sales and foreign supplies.

These regulations are intended to protect grower profits, but they have resulted in factory closures, job losses, and Americans paying nearly twice the international price of sugar. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) says climate change has driven the cost of sugar globally to its highest levels since 2011.

Iceberg Lettuce

Iceberg lettuce was priced at $1.60 per pound in 2023, increasing to $1.74 per pound in 2024. This is due to a number of factors, including Unpredictable temperatures, hail, and rain, which have impacted iceberg lettuce production.

Recent rains have caused mildew issues, which can impact the shelf life of products. Iceberg lettuce has also been affected by discolored blisters, growth cracks, tip burn, and bottom rot.

Rice

Rice prices are surging due to severe weather events and export restrictions in key producing nations like India and Thailand. Extreme weather events like droughts, storms, and torrential rains have damaged rice crops and reduced agricultural productivity.

The El Niño weather pattern, which typically brings reduced rainfall to key rice production areas in Asia, is also a concern.

Beef

Beef has become expensive. This is primarily due to a combination of factors, including a decreased cattle supply caused by droughts, high demand for beef, and the time it takes to replenish the herd.

There is less beef available on the market relative to the number of people wanting to buy it, which drives prices up according to basic supply and demand economics. In 2021, ground beef was $4.26 per pound; it jumped to $5.50 by mid-2024.

Frozen Orange Juice

The cost of frozen orange juice has skyrocketed due to citrus greening disease and hurricanes battering Florida’s orange groves. A 12-ounce can of frozen orange juice concentrate was reported to be $4.23, an increase of nearly 50% from 2020.

“With the existing supply shortage, prices are experiencing an upward trend, exacerbated by the backdrop of already high inflation rates,” according to a University of Florida study in 2023.

Milk

During the pandemic, milk demand dropped, leading to lower prices and farmers reducing their livestock. As demand has increased again, prices have risen. Feed costs have increased, which has affected farmers’ profits. Domestic production has tightened, which has contributed to higher prices.

Cereal

The cost of cereal is high primarily due to rising grain prices, particularly wheat, which is a key ingredient, often driven by factors like global weather events, the war in Ukraine impacting grain exports, increased transportation and labor costs, and the overall inflationary pressures on food production, causing cereal manufacturers to raise prices to cover these increased expenses.

US Consumer Price Index: Cereals And Cereal Products is at a current level of 287.69, up from 286.14 last month and up from 286.80 one year ago.

Ice Cream

The cost of ice cream has risen significantly due to the rising prices of dairy, sugar, and energy. Dairy prices increased as feed and fuel costs soared, impacting production. Sugar prices, at their highest since 2011, also play a major role.

Additionally, energy costs for cold storage and transportation add to the burden. According to federal data, the price of a half-gallon of prepackaged ice cream in grocery stores increased by 27% between January 2020 and June 2024.

Vanilla

Due to extreme weather and labor shortages in Madagascar, which produces 80% of the world’s supply, Vanilla has become one of the most expensive flavorings. Prices for vanilla beans have skyrocketed from $20 per pound in 2010 to over $600 per pound in 2024.

According to agricultural expert Dr. Marcus Rivera, this spike is driven by the labor-intensive process of hand-pollinating vanilla orchids and unpredictable harvests. Ice cream makers and bakers now frequently opt for synthetic flavorings to mitigate costs, but nothing beats the real thing, which remains a pricey indulgence.

Avocados

Avocados have become a symbol of inflation in the produce aisle. Droughts in Mexico and California and surging demand for the fruit as a health food staple have doubled their prices in some markets. Prices vary by country of origin.

In August 2024, the average import price for avocados in the US was $3,975 per ton, a 72.5% increase from December 2023. Consumers have felt the pinch at grocery stores and restaurants, with guacamole prices rising and avocado toast becoming a splurge rather than a staple.

Potatoes

Potato prices have risen sharply due to droughts and higher fertilizer costs. In states like Idaho, unpredictable weather has reduced crop yields, increasing prices. The higher prices are evident in processed products, too, with potato chips and frozen fries becoming noticeably pricier on store shelves.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) notes that it is likely that less than 50% of potatoes grown worldwide are consumed fresh. The majority are processed into products like frozen French fries, potato crisps, and flour.

Olive Oil

The cost of olive oil has surged due to severe droughts in Mediterranean countries, especially Spain, which produces nearly 40% of the global supply. 2023 Spain reported its lowest olive oil production in decades, causing a global supply shortage.

The olive fruit fly and other pests have become more prevalent due to warmer temperatures, damaging crops. Increased energy prices affect the costs of harvesting and processing olives into oil. Olive oil is a dietary staple in many cultures, particularly in Mediterranean countries. Price hikes force consumers to switch to lower-quality oils or limit usage.

Bread

Bread, a pantry essential, has seen its cost rise due to global wheat shortages. Global wheat supplies have been impacted by extreme weather, such as droughts in key producing regions like the US and Canada. The war in Ukraine—a major wheat exporter—disrupted supply chains, reducing global availability.

Bread production and transportation are energy-intensive processes, making the final product pricier. General inflation drives up the cost of raw materials, labor, and logistics, further increasing bread prices. Bread is a global staple, meaning price increases disproportionately affect lower-income households.

Seafood

Seafood prices have soared due to climate change, overfishing, and rising operational costs. Warmer ocean temperatures disrupt fish populations, reducing availability for species like salmon and cod. Overfishing has led to stricter quotas and limiting supply, while labor shortages and higher fuel costs drive up expenses for fishing fleets.

In June 2023, CBC News stated, “Lobster that was $24 per pound pre-pandemic now costs $48.” As consumers adapt, many opt for frozen seafood or lesser-known species to balance budgets while savoring their favorite dishes.

Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.