Egg prices up 31% in 2 years; beef and chicken up 22%

As the purse strings tighten with every trip to the grocery store, it’s hard to imagine how food prices have increased so drastically over such a short period of time, especially since the beginning of the pandemic saw some foot items prices stagnate or decrease.

Kitchen staples like eggs, vegetables, fruit, meat, milk, and bread have all seen drastic increases since the beginning of the year.

Eggs, often some of the cheapest forms of protein available to households on a budget, have seen a 31% increase in price since March 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. There has been a 17% increase in 2022 alone.

Meats, which include chicken and beef, have increased by 22%, milk has increased by 19%, fresh fruits and vegetables have increased by 12%, and bread by 10%.

Eggs and meats did see a price bump at the beginning of the pandemic but stabilized after a couple of months, with eggs even showing a 4% drop in August 2020.

To track monthly changes in grocery items and other purchases tracked by the Consumer Price Index, revisit this page and view the chart below. Different items can be selected in the “Item Name” drop-down. Some mobile users may need to use this link.