Trump’s Promise to Lower Food Prices: Why Costs Spiked Last Month

Even though Donald Trump promised to lower grocery prices, recent numbers show that many essential food items are still getting more expensive. According to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), prices for items like eggs, bread, and ground beef are climbing.

From December to January, grocery prices increased by 0.5%. Overall, food prices rose by 2.5% year-over-year. This trend is causing stress for many families as they try to manage their budgets.

Here are some key food items that saw the biggest price jumps from December 2024 to January 2025:

• Eggs: Up 19.4%. Supply issues from the bird flu continue to affect prices.
• Coffee: Up 3.5%. Shortages linked to extreme weather and high global demand are contributing factors.
• Bacon: Up 1.8%.
• Bananas: Up 0.97%.
• Bread: Up 0.67%.
• Flour: Up 2.3%.

While grocery prices can fluctuate, certain items like eggs and bacon have consistently increased since late 2024. A survey by NielsenIQ revealed that rising food costs remain the top concern for consumers for the second consecutive year.

In response to the food price crisis, Trump made an executive order aimed at addressing cost-of-living issues, which includes grocery prices. However, experts caution that multiple factors are at play, making it difficult to assign blame solely to current policies.

On the other hand, some items saw prices drop from December to January:

• Navel oranges
• Long-grain white rice
• Field-grown tomatoes
• Whole milk

Experts point to several factors driving the price hikes. Tariffs and trade policies have made it hard for farmers, who face challenges similar to those in 2017-2018. This has led to reduced export demand and increased production costs.

Additional reasons for food price increases include:

• Persistent Inflation: Ongoing inflation raises the cost of consumer goods.
• Supply Chain Issues: Economic setbacks continue to impact food availability.
• Weather-Related Shortages: Poor climate conditions can hurt crop yields, increasing the costs of staple foods.
• Health Crises: The avian flu is still affecting poultry and egg prices.

Looking ahead, analysts believe grocery prices might stay high through mid-2025. Changing consumer habits, like preferring store brands or buying in bulk, are ways shoppers are trying to manage escalating costs.

Historically, food prices in the U.S. have risen about 4% per year. According to experts, if the prices of inputs like energy and fertilizers decrease or if the avian flu situation improves, we could see some relief. But many believe food prices will likely continue their upward trend along with other goods and services.

The BLS will share new CPI data on March 12, which will provide insight into February’s food prices. Until then, shoppers should prepare for ongoing challenges at the grocery store.

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