The inflation rate has slowed steadily over the past two years, although it has slowed slightly October and November. Prices of goods such as gasoline, used cars and energy have fallen accordingly. However, food prices continue to outpace inflation, rising by 28% since 2019.
More than 85% of consumers reported feeling frustrated by rising grocery prices, and more than a third said they had resorted to buying fewer items to save money, according to a 2024 R.R. Donnelly survey.
However, experts say rising food prices will continue.
“Once food prices go up, they tend to stay high,” said Claudia Saham, chief economist at New Century Advisors. “Inflation may come back down, so you don't see big increases in prices. But barring a broad-based depression, we don't tend to see prices fall across the board.”
Experts also question whether political intervention can affect food prices.
“There's nothing government policymakers can do about it,” said Jason Miller, a professor of supply chain management at Michigan State University. “This is not something unique to the United States. This has been felt around the world and now we just have to wait and see how things develop as we move forward,” he added.
The uncertainty created by the current political climate also makes it difficult to predict where food prices will head.
“There's no doubt that tariffs will make things dramatically more expensive, especially food,” said Rakin Mabude, chief economist at Groundock Collaborative, a progressive advocacy group. “The same goes for mass deportations. We have workers in this country who really support our food system, and when you start hurting that workforce and sending them away, it hurts our entire economy.”
a witness video Above to discover why food prices continue to rise in the United States.
