By Alice Gibbs
Source: Newsweek
Americans are likely to see food prices rise again this year—and while inflation, conflict and supply chains all play a role, experts say another factor is playing an increasing role: extreme weather.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) forecasts that overall food prices will rise 3.4 percent in 2026, with grocery (food-at-home) prices expected to climb 3.2 percent—above their long-run average. Certain categories—especially beef, vegetables and nonalcoholic drinks—are projected to increase significantly faster.
At the same time, recent data shows prices are already moving upward. Grocery prices were 2.9 percent higher in April 2026 than a year earlier, with a 0.7 percent jump from March, one of the steepest monthly increases since 2022.