Lettuce, lemons, and other groceries that dropped in price in August
Published 5:25 pm Monday, September 18, 2023
Lettuce, lemons, and other groceries that dropped in price in August
Grocery shoppers felt a slight reprieve this spring as grocery prices fell after a run of increases dating to September 2020.
So far this summer, grocery prices have remained relatively steady, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. In August, prices inflated by 0.2% compared to July, and were up 3% from August 2022. Urban prices have fallen in many grocery categories, including eggs, meats, vegetables, grains, and dairy products. Overall inflation is cooling as well after a series of interest rate hikes by the Fed to temper the record inflation plaguing Americans over the past two years.
While costs remain high overall, the decreases mean dollars can stretch a bit further at the grocery store. Stacker used monthly Bureau of Labor Statistics data to find the grocery items that experienced the largest price decreases in August, using year-over-year changes as a tiebreaker where needed. Stacker excluded some hyper-specific meat categories in order to better understand grocery price fluctuations more broadly.
You may also like: Youngest billionaires in America
Angie Yeoh // Shutterstock
#17. Potato chips (per 16 oz.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -0.2%
– Annual change in cost: +8.8%
– August 2023 cost: $6.46
Stefan Malloch // Shutterstock
#16. Cheddar cheese, natural (per lb.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -0.2%
– Annual change in cost: -1.6%
– August 2023 cost: $5.90
You may also like: This is what really happens to retail food waste
Canva
#15. White bread (per lb.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -0.5%
– Annual change in cost: +12.2%
– August 2023 cost: $1.97
pkajak201 // Shutterstock
#14. Chocolate chip cookies (per lb.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -0.7%
– Annual change in cost: +8.1%
– August 2023 cost: $5.06
Canva
#13. Ground coffee (per lb.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -0.8%
– Annual change in cost: -2.3%
– August 2023 cost: $6.09
Jiri Hera // Shutterstock
#12. Long-grain white rice (per lb.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -0.9%
– Annual change in cost: +7.8%
– August 2023 cost: $1.00
Canva
#11. Tomatoes (per lb.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -1%
– Annual change in cost: -0.7%
– August 2023 cost: $1.88
Kvitka Fabian // Shutterstock
#10. Grapefruit (per lb.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -1.1%
– Annual change in cost: Not available
– August 2023 cost: $1.57
The Toidi // Shutterstock
#9. American processed cheese (per lb.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -1.1%
– Annual change in cost: +2.8%
– August 2023 cost: $4.73
You may also like: 50 car companies that no longer exist
Canva
#8. Spaghetti and macaroni (per lb.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -1.1%
– Annual change in cost: +2.6%
– August 2023 cost: $1.40
Peangdao // Shutterstock
#7. Dried beans (per lb.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -1.1%
– Annual change in cost: +1.5%
– August 2023 cost: $1.70
The Toidi // Shutterstock
#6. Whole milk (per gal.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -1.1%
– Annual change in cost: -6.4%
– August 2023 cost: $3.93
Sheila Fitzgerald // Shutterstock
#5. Whole wheat bread (per lb.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -1.7%
– Annual change in cost: +10.3%
– August 2023 cost: $2.54
Canva
#4. Eggs (per doz.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -2.4%
– Annual change in cost: -34.4%
– August 2023 cost: $2.04
Canva
#3. Lemons (per lb.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -3.9%
– Annual change in cost: +2.2%
– August 2023 cost: $2.08
Canva
#2. Iceberg lettuce (per lb.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -4.2%
– Annual change in cost: Not available
– August 2023 cost: $1.60
Canva
#1. Romaine lettuce (per lb.)
– One-month decrease in cost: -4.4%
– Annual change in cost: -10.2%
– August 2023 cost: $2.55