U.S. inflation has jumped to its highest level since 2023, and grocery prices may continue to rise in response to the war against Iran.
Prices are up 0.6% from March to April, and 3.8% year over year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ consumer price index. The increase is driven primarily by rising gas prices in response to the war against Iran.
The cost of groceries increased 0.7% in April. Supply chain disruptions stemming from the war could impact grocery and other consumer goods prices, Thrivent sector lead for energy, materials and utilities John Groton told USA TODAY.
Every month, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tracks the prices of groceries at major Milwaukee-area grocery stores.
On May 11, the Journal Sentinel collected the price of a list of groceries at 13 stores, from national retail chains to local cooperatives. When applicable, we also compared the cost of name brand items with their store brand alternatives.
Prices do not include limited-time deals or discounts.
The grocery list is as follows:
Here’s what we found:
Where grocery prices rose
El Rey Family Market, the family-owned Hispanic grocer at 5200 W. Oklahoma Ave., saw the biggest price jump from April to May. The grocery list there totaled $88.79 on May 11, up from $86.10. Butter and lettuce were the main drivers of this increase.
Lettuce prices also drove the list at Whole Foods, 2305 N. Prospect Ave., up 80 cents to $84.52.
Higher winter temperatures in the lettuce-growing states of California and Arizona have hurt lettuce yields this year. Tomatoes are also experiencing a price increase after excessive autumn rain reduced yields.
The price of groceries at Target, 2950 S. Chase Ave., rose 60 cents to $69.11 in May.
Walmart, 4140 W. Greenfield Ave. in West Milwaukee, and Meijer, 11111 W. Burleigh St. in Wauwatosa, saw relatively small increases. Walmart’s list totaled $68.93 on May 11, up 33 cents from April. The list at Meijer rose just two cents to $73.49.
Pick ‘n Save, 1100 E. Garfield Ave., stayed steady at $80.52.
Where grocery prices dropped
Grocery prices at Metcalfe’s Market, 6700 W. State St. in Wauwatosa, fell from $91.32 in April to $88.52 on May 11 – the largest drop of all 13 stores. It was driven by the lower price of bacon ($9.99 per pound to $8.49 per pound) and ground beef ($7.49 per pound to $5.99 per pound).
Meat prices are down across the country as livestock farmers continue to play catch-up with consumer demand. Farmers experienced a surge in demand over the past few years, and only now have they started to slaughter the livestock they raised in response.
The same list at Woodman’s, 8131 S. Howell Ave. in Oak Creek, cost $66.20 on May 11, down $1.50 from April. The price of a pound of bacon fell from $6.99 to $5.99.
At Festival Foods, 11111 W. Greenfield Ave. in West Allis, a pound of ground beef dropped from $7.99 to $6.99. Its list totaled $93.48, down exactly $1.
Groceries at Piggly Wiggly, 10282 W. National Ave. in West Allis, totaled $81.92. The Journal Sentinel typically tracks prices at the Piggly Wiggly store on West Oklahoma Avenue in Milwaukee, but that location was temporarily closed for renovation on May 11. In April, groceries at the Milwaukee store cost $82.53.
Outpost Natural Foods, 100 E. Capital Drive, saw a 70-cent price drop. At $95.67, it had the most expensive list of all 13 stores. The cooperative carries organic produce, meat and dairy products, with discounts for owners.
Sendik’s Food Market, 8616 W. North Ave. in Wauwatosa, and Aldi, 225 E. Capitol Drive, saw small price drops from April to May. Groceries at Sendik’s were 30 cents lower at $83.43, while Aldi’s list was down 10 cents at $50.46.
Aldi remains the cheapest of the 13 stores, though it should be noted that it carries different brands. Aldi equivalents were substituted when necessary.
Francesca Pica can be reached at fpica@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee grocery prices: What changed in May’s survey
Reporting by Francesca Pica, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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