Federal Reserve Bank of New York President John Williams discusses the market effects of the Iran war, the inflation outlook and more in “The Claman Countdown.”
Americans are faced with a tale of two shopping lists.
While some prices are cooling, the products families rely on most for energy and nutrition – meat and coffee – are seeing sharp increases that will wipe out any savings in the bread department.
Fourteen of the 25 most common supermarket staples increased in price between February 2024 and February 2026, with the five biggest price increases coming from coffee (+55%), lettuce (+39%), ground beef (+31%), sirloin steak (+21%) and orange juice (+15%), according to a study new report from CouponFollow that analyzed consumer price index (CPI) data from the past two years.
Coffee was the fastest rising product in the survey, with a pound of ground coffee costing $6.09 in 2024, up from $9.46 in 2026. Looking back at 2020, coffee prices reportedly increased 123%.
JAMIE DIMON WARNS WAR IN IRAN COULD DRIVE INFLATION AND HIGH INTEREST RATES
Ground beef has reached a price of $6.74 per pound, up 31% from 2024 and 74% above pre-pandemic levels.
Customers buy beef at a supermarket on April 6, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Getty Images)
With minced beef With an eye on pricing, CouponFollow conducted a “taco night test,” following specific meal scenarios to show how inflation affects consumers. A family of four pays nearly $25 just for basic taco ingredients, compared to just $17.50 six years ago.
If you can survive on eggs and toast, your bill could be lower than it was two years ago, with egg prices falling the most (-17%), followed by white bread (-8%), spaghetti (-8%) and butter (-7%).
Still, the report warns that “the items that are still rising are rising fast enough to offset these declines.”
‘The Big Money Show’ discusses the growing trend of young adults receiving financial help from their parents.
“Grocery inflation won’t go away overnight, but small changes in how and where you shop can add up quickly. Paying attention to which categories are rising and which are cooling, stocking up when prices drop, and being flexible with higher-priced proteins are all easy ways to stretch your grocery budget a little further,” notes CouponFollow. “Stacking those habits with coupons and deals can make an even bigger dent in your weekly bill.”
Economic experts have also recently warned that high oil prices due to the war in Iran are pushing up gasoline prices and could cause American consumers’ bills to rise.
The rise in oil, gas and diesel prices is raising transport costs for businesses including supermarkets, which may come under pressure to increase food prices and other items if the situation continues.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Michelle Bowman, Governor of the Federal Reserve Board, discusses where interest rates are headed and the performance of the labor market on “Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street.”
“Every time something moves in the economy, it’s going to cost more,” said Derek Reisfield, co-founder of MarketWatch and a former McKinsey consultant. “Someone, usually the end consumer, will have to pay for it.”
