Get Ready for $1 Per Egg: USDA Forecast Predicts Highest Food Inflation Since 1980

The topic of inflation is in the news nearly every day and is now the top concern among voters in most polls. Things are likely to get even worse.

Most Americans are familiar with the all items Consumer Price Index (CPI). This metric is based on changes for all consumer goods and services. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service measures the changes to retail food prices only. The agency’s May Food Price Outlook should add to voter concerns.

While the all items CPI for April was 8.3%, food alone increased by 9.4%, according to the USDA. Food consumed at home also increased more than the price of food away from home. Grocery store and supermarket purchases rose 10.8% year over year in April. The USDA’s forecast for May predicts the cost of food will increase again and significantly by fall.

All of the crises the Biden administration created are converging and could cause food insecurity for the first time in the living memories of many Americans. Biden’s “Not in My Backyard” energy policy halted domestic fossil fuel production while he still begs some of the worst regimes in the world to drill more oil. That leads to higher fuel costs with or without Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. And higher fuel costs impact farm operations and all forms of transportation.- READ MORE