Overall, food prices ended last year around two percent higher than in 2023. Looking ahead to the rest of the year, the USDA says they could see a drop.
“We are expecting them to grow by 1.3%, which is just one-tenth of a percent higher than what we saw in 2024, when grocery prices grew by 1.2%. And that’s lower than the long-term average over the past 20 years, which has seen an average annual growth of 2.6%,” said Economist Megan Sweitzer.
Egg prices, however, are expected to increase by 20% in the coming year.
Related Stories
Global food prices rose slightly in the latest FAO Food Price Index as vegetable oils, cereals, and meat increased, offsetting declines in dairy and sugar.
Nutrition policy shifts may influence retail demand across agriculture.
Jennifer Tirey of the Illinois Pork Producers Association joined us to discuss efforts to bring pork back into Chicago Public Schools, the nutritional benefits for students, and what the decision could mean for pork producers across the state.
Food demand is stable but price-sensitive across rural markets. For agriculture and rural communities, the important signal is not optimism — it is stability.
USDA’s 2026 Food Price Outlook projects food prices rising 3.1%, with higher beef costs and falling egg prices shaping consumer trends.
