If you’re the one who does grocery shopping for the family, you’ve probably seen that some items cost way more than they used to in the past. Inflation, supply chain issues, and even climate change in some countries have all played a big role in making everyday essentials so costly. Here are 15 groceries that used to be cheap but now feel like a luxury.
Eggs – From Breakfast Staple to Pricey Protein
A dozen eggs used to cost less than two dollars. But those days are gone now. A major reason for this is the devastating impact of bird flu outbreaks, which have wiped out millions of hens. Fewer hens means there are fewer eggs available, and when supply drops, prices rise (basic demand and supply rule). Even though prices have come down from their peak, eggs are still pricier than they used to be.
Bread – A Loaf That’s Worth More Dough
Bread has always been a staple in households, but lately, buying a basic loaf feels like spending a hefty amount. The rising cost of wheat—thanks to droughts in some crucial growing regions and geopolitical issues affecting exports—has made bread more expensive to produce. On top of all that, transportation and packaging costs have also jumped, making your morning toast cost more than before.
Milk – Udderly Expensive
Dairy farmers are facing higher costs for everything—cattle feed, labor, and even fuel for transporting milk to stores. As a result of this, that same gallon of milk has slowly crept up in price. And organic milk is even worse, as it requires special feed and longer production times, making it an even pricier option.
Butter – The Golden Spread That’s Eating Your Budget
If you love to bake or simply enjoy a buttered slice of toast, you’ve probably noticed how expensive butter has become in the past few days. The reason is that it takes lots of milk to produce butter, and because dairy prices are rising, butter follows suit. There was even a temporary shortage in 2022 that sent prices through the roof.
Chicken – No Longer the Cheapest Meat on the Shelf
Chicken was the go-to protein for most families, but prices have jumped so much in the past that it’s not the case anymore. Chicken has become a kind of food luxury due to a combo of high feed costs, labor shortages, and some serious supply chain issues. Even fast-food chains have felt the impact of this—have you noticed how much pricier a chicken sandwich has become lately?
Beef – A Steakhouse Experience at Home? Not Anymore
Beef is almost the same story as chicken. Beef prices have surged in the last few years because of ongoing droughts that have forced ranchers to reduce their cattle herds. With fewer cows available, beef prices have shot up. Even ground beef (a budget-friendly option) has seen a significant price increase. If you’re a steak lover, you’ve probably noticed the painful jump in price at the meat counter.
Orange Juice – A Squeezed Supply
People used to drink juice every day in the past. But that same glass of orange juice is a luxury now, and that’s because citrus groves, especially in Florida, have been devastated by citrus greening disease. This plant disease is incurable, and it has reduced orange production. Some brands have even started blending juice from different countries just to keep up with demand.
Rice – No Longer a Penny-Per-Serving Food
Rice has been one of the most affordable staple foods for centuries, but recent export bans and climate issues have made it more expensive. India (the largest rice exporter) has restricted exports to control domestic prices. This has led to the reduction of the global rice supply. Add in higher transportation costs to that, and your same bag of rice costs a lot more now.
Pasta – No Longer the Ultimate Cheap Meal
Pasta was the perfect meal for college students and anyone trying to stretch their grocery budget. But not anymore. The days of a 50-cent box of pasta may be over. Pasta prices have crept up over the last few years because of wheat shortages, crazy weather, and inflation. Even buying in bulk doesn’t save you as much cash as before.
Cooking Oil – Liquid Gold in the Kitchen
Vegetables, canola, and olive oils have all seen major price hikes due to global shortages. The war in Ukraine disrupted sunflower oil exports, while poor olive harvests in Spain and Italy sent olive oil prices soaring. If you’ve noticed smaller bottles and higher prices, you’re not alone.
Cereal – A Tougher Start to the Day
Cereal prices have also risen dramatically in the last few years because of the increased costs of wheat, corn, and sugar. On top of all that, packaging and shipping costs have gone up, making your favorite breakfast cereal pricier. Even some generic brands aren’t as affordable as they used to be.
Cheese – A Gouda Problem for Your Wallet
Cheese prices have also climbed right alongside milk and butter (which are already on this list). You see, aging and processing cheese takes time, which means production costs have increased significantly. Specialty cheeses have been hit even harder, making that charcuterie board a much more expensive treat. Remember this now when you offer cheese to your guests.
Sugar – A Not-So-Sweet Price Hike
Sugar prices have shot up, and you can blame bad weather messing with sugarcane crops in Brazil and India. Since sugar is in basically everything—candy, cookies, your favorite snacks—its price hike has made all those treats more expensive. If you’ve been wondering why your go-to sweet fix is costing more, well, sugar’s the culprit.
Potatoes – No Longer the Cheapest Side Dish
Even the good old potato isn’t safe from price hikes, and we’ll tell you why. Droughts in major potato-growing areas, plus skyrocketing fertilizer and transport costs, have pushed prices up in the last few years. Even fast-food joints have felt the hit—if your fries and burger are getting pricier, now you know why!
Coffee – A Pricey Wake-Up Call
Your morning cup of joe isn’t as cheap as it once was, and you can thank climate change for that. Brazil (the world’s biggest coffee producer) has been hit by severe droughts and unexpected frosts, all of which have damaged crops. And because the global demand for coffee keeps rising, prices are going even higher. That $5 café latte is only going to get more expensive.
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