Forget about runaway inflation or the stock market – anyone who wants to keep an eye on dramatic price changes need only turn to one place: the grocery store. From kale to ground beef, prices can swing in both directions depending on a variety of factors, from weather to supply chain. To get a better look at just how much prices can change, we’ve rounded up the prices for five popular grocery items to compare how much they have changed in the last year.
Kale
Kale, the beloved health food, saw an upswing in price in the last year. The applause-worthy dark green vegetable had an average cost of $2.77 per pound, making it an affordable option overall. However, that’s an 18 cent increase from the price offered 12 months ago.
Ground Beef
Ground beef is another grocery store staple. Surprisingly, this popular item saw a price drop over the last year – dropping almost 10 cents total. This decrease brings the average price for a pound of ground beef to $3.96.
Strawberries
If you’ve been dreaming of strawberry shortcake, you may want to buy your supply of strawberries soon. Prices for these tart yet sweet treats have seen an 18 cent increase over the last year, bringing the total to $2.99 for a six-ounce container.
Bananas
Bananas are the classic go-to snack. Thankfully, this year has seen lower prices than the previous year. In fact, in the last 12 months, prices have gone down by an average of 12 cents per pound, bringing the cost to $0.54 on average.
Avocados
Avocados, a beloved part of any brunch, also saw a decrease in price from 2018 to 2019. This decrease of 25 cents for a single avocado brought the average price to $1.23.
Overall, prices for popular grocery items in the last year have gone up or down, depending on the item. Kale, ground beef, and strawberries saw increases, while bananas and avocados saw decreases. As prices continue to fluctuate, it’s important to keep an eye out for the best deals.
