5 Supermarket Staples That Are Still Expensive

5 Supermarket Staples That Are Still Expensive

Play all audios:

Loading...

AARP photo collage (Source: Getty Images (2)) Facebook Twitter LinkedIn


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.


Members only


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.