Grocery prices are expected to continue to rise in 2026, says the newest outlook from the United States Department of Agriculture. In a February 25, 2026, report, the governmental agency looked at the Consumer Price Index to see how the economy is affecting food prices around the country.
The report found that while four categories of food saw a decrease in their rate of price change from December 2025 to January 2026, 11 other categories saw an increase, with seven experiencing large price swings.
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Specifically, the agency found that the following grocery categories saw a marked price increase, something the USDA expects to continue to grow faster than the 20-year average historical rate of growth:
Processed fruits and vegetables
Cereal and bakery products
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Beef and veal saw a slight drop in price, less than one percent, between December 2025 and January 2026, but compared to January 2025, the category had a 15 percent increase at the beginning of the year. As a result, beef and veal prices are predicted to increase 5.5 percent in 2026, says the USDA.
Pork prices are predicted to increase by less than 2 percent in 2026, nonalcoholic beverage prices are predicted to increase by 5.2 percent in 2026, and sugar and sweets prices are expected to rise by 6.7 percent in 2026.
The other categories have much smaller increases, around one percent or less. Egg prices, which captivated news cycles after hitting a historic high in March 2025, will likely decrease 27.4 percent in 2026, predicts the USDA.
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This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Food & Drink section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.