Food prices have gone up every single year since 2020, and experts say they will keep climbing in 2025. Remember when a dozen eggs cost around three bucks? Earlier this year, some people paid nearly ten dollars for a carton. That kind of sticker shock hurts, especially when feeding a family. The good news is that planning ahead and buying smart can save real money. Knowing what to grab now, before prices jump even higher, makes a big difference in the monthly grocery bill.
Cooking oils are about to cost a lot more
Most kitchens go through cooking oil pretty fast. Think about it. Every time something hits a pan, oil is probably involved. Whether making scrambled eggs or roasting vegetables, that bottle gets a workout. The problem is that most healthy cooking oils come from other countries. Olive oil mainly comes from Italy and Spain. Avocado oil usually starts in Mexico. When products come from overseas, they often face extra costs that get passed along to shoppers at the register.
Stocking up on cooking oils now could mean avoiding a steep price increase later. Olive oil from European countries could see a 20% markup if certain trade changes happen. The trick is storing oil the right way. Keep bottles in a cool, dark spot like a pantry cabinet. Heat and light make oil go bad faster. Buy what can realistically be used within a year, and the savings will be worth the cabinet space.
Rice and beans belong in every pantry
Rice and beans together make one of the most affordable meals on the planet. They also happen to be perfect for storing long-term. Dry beans and lentils can sit in a pantry for years without going bad. Rice, especially white rice, has an incredibly long shelf life when kept in an airtight container. These two foods together provide protein, fiber, and plenty of energy to keep everyone full and happy.
A lot of rice sold in the United States comes from Asia. Jasmine rice from Thailand and basmati from India and Pakistan are popular choices. Trade changes could add a 36% markup on rice from Thailand alone. Buying a big bag now and storing it properly makes sense. Beans are equally smart to stock. They stretch meat in recipes, work great in soups and chilis, and cost very little per serving. Having a few different types on hand adds variety to meals.
Beef prices keep hitting record highs
Ground beef now costs over six dollars per pound on average, which is the highest price in United States history. That is not a typo. Beef has never been more expensive. A lot of the red meat eaten here actually comes from Canada. If trade costs go up with Canada, beef prices could climb even higher. Families who love burgers, tacos, and meatballs might want to think ahead about this one.
The smart move is watching for sales and buying in bulk when prices drop. Ground beef freezes really well. It stays fresh for about four months in the freezer, which gives plenty of time to use it up. Buying larger cuts of meat and portioning them at home saves even more money. A good freezer bag and a little organization go a long way toward protecting the grocery budget.
Salmon is getting harder to afford
Fish lovers have probably noticed that salmon prices keep going up. A big reason is that a lot of salmon now comes from China after Canadian imports dropped over the years. Fish is one of those foods that feels expensive already. Adding extra costs from trade changes makes it even harder to serve regularly. But salmon freezes beautifully, which opens up options for buying ahead.
Buying salmon in bulk and portioning it for the freezer is a solid plan. A vacuum sealer makes this even easier and keeps fish fresher longer. Here is a fun fact: cooking salmon straight from frozen actually works great. It does not need to thaw first. This makes meal prep simpler and means grabbing a frozen portion for a quick dinner is totally doable.
Imported cheese might get pricey fast
Real Parmigiano-Reggiano from Italy hits different than the stuff in a green can. Same goes for authentic Swiss Gruyère or a good Spanish Manchego. These cheeses have specific flavors that American versions just cannot match. The downside is that imported cheeses could face big markups. Gruyère from Switzerland might see prices jump by 31% or more. For cheese lovers, that stings.
The surprise is that hard cheeses like Parmesan and Gruyère actually freeze well. This is not common knowledge, but wrapping a wedge tightly and freezing it works great. The texture might change slightly, but for cooking and grating, nobody will notice. Buying an extra wedge or two now means enjoying real imported cheese later without paying inflated prices. Warehouse stores often have great deals on quality cheese.
Spices could see some of the biggest increases
Ever wondered where all those spices in the cabinet come from? Most of them travel from far away. India and China are the biggest spice exporters in the world. Vanilla beans often come from Madagascar. Cumin, cinnamon, black pepper, and dozens of other spices start their journey overseas before landing on grocery store shelves. All of that international travel means prices depend heavily on trade costs.
Madagascar could face a 47% markup on products like vanilla beans. India might see a 26% increase on spice exports. China already faces varying costs up to 245% on some imported products. Spices last a long time when stored in a cool, dry place. Buying favorite spices in larger containers now saves money later. For spices that do not get used as often, freezing them in sealed bags keeps them fresh for even longer.
Butter prices keep climbing year after year
Butter now averages almost five dollars per pound, and prices have been steadily rising for years. Anyone who bakes regularly knows how fast butter disappears. Cookies, cakes, pie crusts, and homemade bread all need butter. Even everyday cooking uses more butter than most people realize. A little butter in a pan makes vegetables taste amazing. Mashed potatoes without butter? Unthinkable.
The solution is simple. Butter freezes perfectly for up to six months. Watching for sales and buying extra sticks or pounds to freeze just makes sense. Holiday baking season uses a lot of butter, so stocking up beforehand prevents paying top dollar during November and December. A dedicated freezer shelf for butter sounds silly but pays off over time.
Eggs are unpredictable so grab them cheap
Eggs might be the most unpredictable food in the entire grocery store. Prices swing wildly depending on supply issues, bird flu outbreaks, and demand changes. Earlier this year, a dozen eggs cost over six dollars in some places. Prices have dropped to around $3.78 per carton more recently, but that could change again in a few months. Nobody knows for sure which direction egg prices will go next.
Eggs stay fresh in the refrigerator for three to five weeks from the pack date. That means buying a few cartons at once during a good sale makes sense. Here is something most people do not know: eggs can actually be frozen. They just cannot stay in the shell. Cracking eggs into an ice cube tray and freezing them works great for baking later. Making quiches or egg bites in bulk and freezing those is another option.
Frozen foods are smart buys especially now
Frozen foods already help stretch a grocery budget. They last much longer than fresh versions and often cost less. Frozen fruits, vegetables, fish, pizzas, and dumplings all sit in the freezer waiting patiently until needed. No rushing to use them before they go bad. No worrying about forgetting something in the back of the fridge. Frozen foods just wait until dinner needs them.
Many frozen products come from other countries, which means prices could rise with trade changes. Frozen fruits, fish, and prepared foods often start overseas before reaching American freezers. Watching for sales and filling up freezer space now locks in current prices. Anyone with extra freezer room should take advantage. These foods will not go bad, and buying at a discount today beats paying more tomorrow.
Smart grocery shopping is really about paying attention and planning ahead. Prices on many everyday foods could go up significantly in the coming months due to trade changes affecting imported goods. Stocking up on items with long shelf lives or that freeze well protects the family budget. Oils, rice, beans, meat, cheese, spices, butter, and frozen foods all make great candidates for buying ahead. Keeping an eye on sales, using store loyalty programs, and having enough storage space turns grocery shopping into a money-saving strategy that actually works.
