News Business News Already low, food inflation to slow in 2025, says USDA For 2025, meat prices are forecast to rise at a below-normal rate of 2.9%, said the USDA. By FERN's Ag Insider FERN's Ag Insider The Food & Environment Reporting Network (FERN) is the first independent, non-profit news organization that produces in-depth and investigative journalism in the critically under-reported areas of food, agriculture, and environmental health. Through partnerships with local and national mainstream media outlets, FERN seeks to tell stories that will inspire, inform, and have lasting impact. Successful Farming's Editorial Guidelines Published on July 26, 2024 Close Photo: USDA Grocery prices will rise by a scant 0.7% in 2025, the smallest increase in seven years, said USDA analysts on Thursday in their first forecast of food inflation in the new year. Grocery price inflation was forecast at a below-normal 1% this year. “Food prices are expected to continue to decelerate in 2024, compared to recent years,” said the monthly Food Price Outlook report. Grocery inflation crested at 11.4% in 2022, the highest rate in half a century, then fell to 5% in 2023. The long-term average is 2.7% a year. Pork and poultry prices were moderating this year, the USDA report said, while prices for seafood, eggs, dairy, and fresh fruit and vegetables will be lower than in 2023. For 2025, meat prices are forecast to rise at a below-normal rate of 2.9%, said the USDA. Prices for cereal and bakery products are expected to rise at a slower-than-usual rate. Fresh fruit and vegetable prices are expected to fall. Consumers spend roughly 20¢ of each grocery dollar on meats, poultry, and fish, and nearly 13¢ of the grocery dollar on fresh fruits and vegetables. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit