7 Skyrocketing Grocery Prices That Are Outraging Customers Right Now
When we originally polled our Facebook followers about frustrating grocery shortages, it seemed numerous customers weren't just infuriated over empty shelves in their stores, but major price hikes as well. It was clear the prices of popular grocery items have also affected customer budgets across the country, so we asked them yet again—what rising grocery prices are you frustrated over right now?
Hundreds of comments came flooding in from frustrated customers whose wallets have taken quite a hit when shopping at their local grocery store lately.
"My monthly food bill for five is bigger than my mortgage," says one Facebook user.
"Everything is up!" exclaims another user. "Supply and selection [are] also erratic so being able to find all the ingredients for meal planning is tough. Took three stores [visits] today to be able to get ingredients to make basic tacos! I hate relying on eating out but it's gotten to be the better-priced option."
Although hundreds of Facebook users simply said that "everything" they buy seems to have escalating prices right now (and causing immense frustration), there are a few specific products that stood out that grocery customers are avoiding due to skyrocketing prices these days. Then, for more shopping tips, be sure to check our report on 7 Groceries That Just Got More Expensive.
Meat
Numerous Facebook users agreed that meat is, unfortunately, no longer a part of their budget. The prices of meat (specifically beef, pork, and bacon) have skyrocketed for many. Customers are reporting seeing double the price for some of their usual go-to products—sometimes more.
"I don't even eat it anymore it's so pricey," says one Facebook user.
In particular, ground beef and bacon seem to be two of the more expensive products to snag at the store these days, with prices almost triple than what customers are used to.
"Spikes in meat prices have me eating more chicken," says another user. "I have also started eating the much less popular organ meats. I don't buy beef very often anymore."
Turning to chicken, turkey, fish, or going all around plant-based for the time being, seems to be the consensus for many people looking to keep their grocery budgets at their usual capacity.
"Turkey bacon and turkey sausage [is] so much cheaper right now," advises one user.
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Fresh produce
While many Facebook users are admitting to turning to plant-based protein options (like beans and lentils) for their meals during crazy grocery supply demands, the prices of fruits and vegetables are, sadly, seeing increases in pricing as well.
"Just paid $7.64 for 4 apples," says one user. "Seriously!"
It seems the best option for fresh produce is to either go to the local farmer's market for fairer prices, or for some, plant gardens in their own backyards. Numerous users comment that this spring they plan on cultivating their own stock of fresh produce so they don't have to worry about fluctuating prices at the store.
"We garden each year but will be doing a much larger garden this year and canning and freezing as much produce as possible," writes one user. "Not about to keep paying these prices."
Coffee
"Coffee is crazy high!" writes one user.
They aren't wrong. According to CNN, coffee prices have increased over 4.7% over the past year and even hit a 10-year high in prices—which will likely continue all the way into 2023.
Eggs
Eggs are typically a relatively cheap protein to buy, but due to production costs, manufacturing, and transportation changes, prices for eggs retail at an increase of almost 20.7%, according to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Milk
Although the price of milk had a smaller increase compared to other popular items, it still is relatively more expensive compared to what customers are typically used to—up 5.9% between 2020 and 2021.
And yet, for some customers, prices for milk at their stores weren't as mild—some even experiencing extreme changes on shelves.
"Milk more than doubled in price," writes one user.
Paper products
Paper products—like toilet paper, paper towels, and napkins—seem to be even harder to get during supply chain issues. Recent reports have stated that this household staple has seen increased prices on shelves as early as June 2021.
Pet food
Specifically, canned cat food has been sparse on shelves, and when it's actually available, the prices are high for customers looking to feed their furry friends.
This is likely linked to the production holdups and ingredient shortages that J.M Smucker Co. (a pet food distributor) is experiencing, which also includes a limited number of shipments being sent to stores up until January 2023, according to the Wall Street Journal.
