I was in the grocery store the other day, and it hit me—I’m buying the exact same things I always do, but my bill just keeps getting higher. Like, I swear I just blinked, and suddenly eggs are a luxury item. What’s going on?
Inflation, supply-chain delays, and erratic weather conditions have modestly (or, let’s face it, dramatically) pushed the prices of staples ever higher. The USDA reports that food prices climbed an additional 2.9% year over year in May 2025—and that’s after the inflation storm of 2022–2023.
So, if you’ve got room in a pantry, freezer, or even a couple of extra shelves, now might be a good moment to stock up on these staple groceries—before the prices rise later.
Rice
Rice is among those magical foods that never spoil and pairs well with almost anything. However, Asian climate challenges—particularly the droughts that have affected India and the tightening of exports—have pushed prices worldwide higher.
Based on Markets Insider, the current price of rice is $13.56 per hundredweight (cwt), and they show no signs of easing. That bulk bag you haul home today could run you only half of what it will cost in a few months. And honestly, who doesn’t feel comforted knowing there’s rice in the cupboard?
Pasta
Pasta offers budget-wise convenience, is kid-friendly, and has an almost unbreakable shelf life in your pantry. Nevertheless, the backbone of pasta—durum wheat—has been scarce owing to poor harvests in both Canada and Europe.
Data by Fortune Business Insights shows that globally, the pasta market value rose from around $60.4 billion in 2023 to an estimated $71.5 billion in 2024, reflecting both price increases and growing demand. But the bright side?
Pasta is typically good for 1–2 years past the “best by” date if stored in a cool, dry place. Primal Survivor says it can last up to 10 years if kept away from moisture. So, pick up an extra few boxes without a worry.
Canned Beans
High in protein, easy on the wallet, and perfect for whatever you’re cooking—canned beans are an obvious choice. As meat prices keep climbing, people are gravitating toward plant-based alternatives—which in turn strains the supplies of staples like beans and lentils.
Approximately 60% of U.S. households include canned beans in their regular grocery shopping—why not make them a staple in yours too? Be it chili or a salad, these modest cans quietly hero up in the kitchen. They also retain their value during leaner times.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter does more than stuff sandwiches—to some households, it’s virtually a food group unto itself. The problem is this: erratic weather has battered peanut harvests, most notably in Georgia and Texas, two of the nation’s leading growers.
Georgia, the nation’s peanut powerhouse, saw yields drop to around 3,500 pounds per acre, the lowest in years. This sharp decrease has driven up prices across the market.
One jar today costs $2.89; come next month, it could be $3.79. Wiser to stock up on two before the price creeps past three bucks.
Flour
It may not be flashy, but flour acts as the backbone for everything, from pancakes to pizza. Worldwide wheat yields have been beset by droughts, floods, and even the war in Ukraine.
All of this impacts U.S. prices, even if the bags still look affordable. And let’s be honest—there’s something satisfying about knowing you can whip up biscuits if needed.
Toss a couple extra bags in the freezer, and they’ll still be good for a whole 1-2 years. Just make sure it’s in an airtight container to prevent moisture or odors from creeping in.
Oats
Oats remain the cuddly MVP of breakfast, and their popularity is climbing by the minute. But guess what? Volatile oat yields in Canada have set off minor ripples throughout the market.
And the growing popularity of oat milk has sent demand soaring even further. Oats are always worth stocking up on, whether you eat or drink them.
Cooking Oil
You really can’t get by without oil, from sautéing veggies to baking cakes. High temperatures and worldwide disruptions dealt a blow to sunflower and canola crops. Severe droughts and heatwaves in Spain, Italy, and Greece — the world’s top producers — slashed harvests by up to 56% in Spain alone.
Across certain regions, olive oil prices have already risen by more than 50% since 2022. That puny bottle may not seem important—until it’s suddenly $12.99. You’ll definitely regret not hoarding this pantry staple when it still costs less than ten dollars.
Canned Tomatoes
Tomatoes belong to that under-the-radar category of ingredients that slips into just about everything—sauces, soups, stews—you name it. Persistent water challenges are squeezing California’s tomato harvest and the squeeze ripples through canned varieties across the board.
Prices have already edged up almost 10% in the past year. Pick up a couple of cans now to spare yourself the expense of twice the price later. Good thing they stay flavor-packed and shelf-stable for years.
Sugar
Here’s the bitter-sweet fact: sugar prices are swinging wildly as Brazil and India’s cane harvests continue to shrink. Global sugar production is expected to rise by 4.7% in 2025/26, reaching a record 189.3 million metric tons, with ending stocks also climbing by 7.5%
If you bake, sweeten your coffee, or simply want a supply of sugar at the ready, this is the moment. It keeps well and only requires minimal storage space. Pick up a couple of bags and say thank you to your past self later.
Eggs (When They’re on Sale)
Fluctuations in avian flu and volatile feed prices have driven egg prices up, down, and every which way. But when they’re on sale? Pick up an extra handful and freeze them (yep, you can store beaten eggs in the freezer for baking).
USDA statistics reveal that egg prices surged beyond 100% during the recent outbreaks. This occurrence could just as easily happen again.
Eggs are far too versatile to leave to chance. A bit of anticipation now may spare you the $7-a-dozen sticker shock that could crop up later.
Butter
Like the rest of dairy, butter’s price moves up and down, but recent supply constraints and escalating feed prices have kept it high. In 2024, the average pound of butter cost $4.86—upward of 30% from 2020.
If you regularly step into the kitchen with a mixer in hand, you’ve already felt it. Luckily, butter freezes perfectly, which makes it a breeze to stockpile during a sale. Your future pies and pancakes will thank you.
Powdered Milk
Although not glamourous, powdered milk is still an indispensable survival staple. It stays fresh for more than a year, takes up virtually no space, and is really useful when you need it in a hurry.
Moreover, the cost of conventional milk is increasing due to rising production and transportation expenses. Stocking a handful of boxes of powdered milk grants you a lot of flexibility, especially when supplies tighten. It’s your ultimate back-pocket pantry victory.
Yeast
Have you forgotten the sourdough craze of 2020? Yup, yeast was the first thing to vanish. It’s affordable and compact, and it’s indispensable if you bake even a little.
Moreover, global supply chains are still far from fully stabilized, and yeast is one of the items that people frantically hunt for in times of uncertainty. Should you come upon a multipack, pop it in the freezer—it’ll keep for ages.
Salt
Salt might seem like it’ll always be there—and it mostly will—but transportation and packaging expenses have been gently pushing prices upward. When it comes to long-lasting shelf life, salt practically lives forever.
Keeping a stockpile is a good idea, whether for everyday cooking, canning, or emergency preparation. It’s affordable, versatile, and takes hardly any space. It’s the MVP who slips in quietly.
Frozen Vegetables
Although fresh produce eventually spoils, frozen vegetables prove remarkably durable and retain their nutritional value. Their rising cost is caused by higher energy bills in cold storage and a shortage of workers in processing plants.
According to the Consumer Price Index, frozen vegetable prices leaped more than 5% last year. They’re quick to assemble, wallet-friendly, and perfect for impromptu weeknight meals. Beat the next price surge by parking your favorites in the freezer.
Long-Lasting Plant-Based Milks
Oat milk, almond milk, and soy milk—whichever you choose, those non-dairy cartons are flying off shelves and climbing in cost. Demand has surged—particularly among younger shoppers—and shelf-stable varieties are ideal for stocking up.
Moreover, rising inflation coupled with weather challenges for almonds and oats isn’t doing the price tag any favors. Keeping an extra supply of cartons in the pantry is a wise idea. They work well in coffee, over cereal, or for a sip on their own.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Pantry power is real—your future grocery bill will thank you. Many shelf-stable staples, from pasta to peanut butter, are quietly creeping up in price due to weather, war, and global supply hiccups. Buying in bulk now means dodging sticker shock later.
- Freezers are your secret weapon. Butter, eggs, veggies, even flour and yeast—yep, they freeze beautifully. Treat your freezer like a backup grocery store, especially when sales hit.
- Weather is the new grocery boss. Droughts, floods, and crop failures in key regions are making basics like rice, tomatoes, and cooking oil more expensive. If nature’s unpredictable, your grocery plan shouldn’t be.
- It’s not hoarding—it’s budgeting with foresight. Grabbing an extra bag of oats or a couple cans of beans isn’t panic-buying—it’s smart, cost-effective prep. Stock smart now, snack stress-free later.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
How Total Beginners Are Building Wealth Fast in 2025—No Experience Needed
How Total Beginners Are Building Wealth Fast in 2025
I used to think investing was something you did after you were already rich. Like, you needed $10,000 in a suit pocket and a guy named Chad at some fancy firm who knew how to “diversify your portfolio.” Meanwhile, I was just trying to figure out how to stretch $43 to payday.
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12 Everyday Grocery Store Favorites Now Pack Banned Additives
Let me paint a picture. I was standing in the cereal aisle, scanning the shelves for my childhood favorite—those colorful little rings bursting with artificial fruit flavor. I hadn’t bought them in years, but nostalgia hit hard. Then I noticed something new on the label: “Now with no artificial dyes.”
12 Everyday Grocery Store Favorites Now Pack Banned Additives
