Basic necessities at record costs, with US grocery prices having jumped +29% since Feb 2020

08 Oct 2025 • 1 min read

Groceries – Key Facts

Prices are up 29% since February 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The increase was driven by:
- Pandemic-related supply chain disruptions.
- Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which raised global food costs.
- Avian flu, which spiked egg prices.
- President Trump’s tariffs, raising the cost of imported foods such as bananas and coffee.
Last month marked the biggest monthly jump in grocery prices in nearly three years.
A majority of Americans now cite grocery costs as a top financial stress, according to an AP-NORC survey.
Shoppers are increasingly:
- Making smaller, more frequent store trips.
- Using more coupons.
- Opting for lower-cost private-label products.
Coffee prices have risen more than 20% in the past year, driven by weather disruptions in Brazil and Vietnam as well as U.S. import tariffs.
Despite campaign promises, overall grocery prices are higher now than when President Trump took office. His administration’s immigration crackdown and tariffs are expected to add further upward pressure.

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