Grocery “affordability” seems to be a buzzword right now, as many Americans focus on their constantly increasing grocery bill.
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, turkeys and the fixings are said to remain affordable, but other items are as high as ever.
Coffee is the most increased grocery item of 2025, which is up 19 percent. The second most increased item: beef, up 15% from last year.
Customers across the country said they have to buy less this year. Regina Gertsen is among those, saying meat is just too expensive.
Other popular items that have seen price hikes include frozen juice, which is up nine percent. Bananas and condiments have both increased by seven percent.
There are some items that are down, though still pricier than they used to be. Eggs are down 12%, cooking oils are down 3% and canned tuna is down 3% as well.
The Farm Bureau blames low cattle inventory for the high costs. It is at its lowest level in 60 years. Factors like drought and high feed prices lead to lower inventories.
Market owner Neil Luken said that steak and burger prices typically drop in winter, as people buy roasts instead. However, that has yet to happen this year, and ground beef is still above six dollars a pound.
That’s why President Trump unveiled a plan to import more beef from Argentina. In the meantime, switching to chicken won’t save much. The cost of chicken breasts has gone up over a dollar a pound this year.
While eggs and a few things are more affordable, the reality is that prices on most staples remain high.
Every Thursday, WRAL News tracks the prices of groceries across multiple grocery chains in the Triangle. It reflects that some staples like beef and chicken remain high, but there are some that might not break your budget.