Inflation continues to rise, albeit slowly, putting pressure on everyday consumers, particularly when it comes to food expenses. The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that overall prices climbed by 3% year-over-year in September, up slightly from 2.9% in the previous month. Notably, the food sector experienced a greater increase, rising by 3.1% compared to the same period last year, with dining out escalating even more sharply at 3.7%.
Fortunately, there are some positive updates from grocery stores. Prices for food at home recorded a smaller increase of just 2.7%, indicating that supermarket inflation is rising more gradually than that observed in restaurants. While price hikes are never ideal, stable growth is preferable to sharp increases—unless, of course, it means actual price drops, which we are seeing in several popular grocery items.
Cereals and Cereal Products
Home bakers and anyone who relies on grains benefited from a modest overall decrease of 0.8% in the price of cereals and cereal products. Notably, rice prices decreased by 1.7%, closely followed by pasta and cornmeal, providing much-needed relief for those cooking at home.
Ham
Sadly, shoppers have not enjoyed good news in the meat section lately. The overall price of meat increased significantly by 8.5%, hitting consumers hard, with beef and veal surging by 14.7%. Uncooked roasts and steaks have seen staggering inflation rates of 18.4% and 16.6%, respectively. However, one silver lining is ham, excluding canned varieties, which saw a slight decline of 0.2% in price.
Shelf-Stable Fish and Seafood
Prices for canned, tinned, and other shelf-stable fish and seafood dropped by 3% from September 2024 to September 2025. Interestingly, while fresh fish prices rose by 3%, frozen fish experienced even higher inflation at 6.6%, balancing out the overall category somewhat.
Eggs
One of the most significant revelations in the CPI report revolves around eggs, which have become synonymous with inflation concerns. In September, egg prices fell by 1.3% year-over-year. While this may seem minor, the context amplifies its importance. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the average price of a dozen eggs was $3.82 in September 2024, dropping to $3.49 the following year. This drop follows an astonishing peak of $6.23 earlier this year, reflecting a nearly 50% decrease within just six months.
In summary, while inflation continues to impact food prices, there are notable exceptions. Certain grocery items are actually getting cheaper, providing some relief to consumers struggling with higher costs. As we navigate 2025, keeping an eye on these price fluctuations can help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Groceries Actually Getting Cheaper in 2025.
