Your source of happiness in the form of condiments is now going to take a bigger, more expensive toll on your budget. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index category for condiments increased by approximately 2.5% from December 2023 to December 2024. The report forecasts substantial price increases across the condiment category in 2025 as raw material costs continue to soar and supply chains are disrupted by climate change-related extreme weather events, which impact sources of key ingredients.
Savvy shoppers will need to brace for these looming price spikes by knowing which of these 13 condiments will most likely wreak havoc on their budgets, and why those cost surges are inescapable.
Ketchup
Ketchup and other tomato-based products are experiencing the most dramatic price hikes, as extreme weather conditions decimate tomato crops worldwide. The Central Valley experienced its worst drought in decades in 2024, resulting in a substantial decrease in tomato processing yields, with a 12% drop in contracted production compared to the previous year.
Low water supplies due to drought are also causing farmers to plant fewer acres of tomatoes. This led to massive declines in production and higher prices for tomato-based products. The misery continues as water cutbacks in major growing regions mean we’ll see even fewer acres of tomatoes, exacerbating a supply-demand crunch and sending prices higher still.
Mustard
Mustard Seed is in very short supply, and a “perfect storm” is expected to drive up the price of all mustard varieties. Roughly 120,000 hectares were seeded with mustard last year, a drop of about 25% compared with the 10-year average of 400,000 acres
If those retail prices are increasing, the wholesale prices will also rise. There’s such a shortage that some producers are tweaking recipes to make them with fewer mustard seeds, which alters consumers’ expectations of what their taste should be.
Mayonnaise
Mayo production costs remain at the mercy of egg costs due to ongoing outbreaks of avian flu on poultry farms. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average national price for a dozen Grade-A eggs in May 2025 was $4.55, representing a 68.5% increase from the same month a year earlier. As a result, this is impacting mayonnaise makers who rely on eggs as a staple ingredient.
Hot Sauce
Climate and weather dictate conditions for pepper production, which has been a challenge due to the vagaries in climate and weather occurring at a rate and intensity never experienced before by existing pepper plants. By May 2024, 76% of Mexico was under severe drought, the most since June 2011. This year’s drought has hit north-western areas particularly hard, including Chihuahua, a region important for peppers.
Soy Sauce
Soy price volatility affects the cost of soy sauce production at all market levels. China’s soybean imports, which determine the global price, decreased from 40% in 2016 to 18% in 2024, driven by trade tensions and domestic production issues.
Energy prices have further contributed to higher costs for manufacturers and have also impacted the pricing dynamics of the fermentation process, which requires specific temperature and humidity levels.
Barbecue Sauce
Molasses and tomato paste shortfalls put double pressure on barbecue sauce pricing. The Caribbean molasses logistics, impacted by hurricane activity and port congestion, have led to a rise in molasses prices.
Smaller regional barbecue sauce brands are experiencing even harsher price increases due to their limited buying power, which prevents them from negotiating lower ingredient costs.
Salsa
Price fluctuations on fresh tomatoes and peppers affect all segments of the salsa industry. Shipping Mexican tomatoes, which account for the majority of tomatoes used in American salsa, presents logistical challenges that affect the price of the tomatoes that must travel.
Additionally, recent reports of a 17% duty being placed on Mexican tomatoes also affect the industry’s salsa segment in both foodservice and at retail.
Ranch Dressing
The cost of buttermilk powder and herbs put pressure on ranch dressing production costs in particular. Price volatility in dairy commodities, driven by an upswing in feed costs and a reduction in herd sizes, also led to a rise in the price of buttermilk powder shortly after it had reached a low level.
Access to herbs like dill and parsley has also been a challenge, adding further pressure to costs as specialty crops face labor shortages and transportation challenges.
Worcestershire Sauce
Sourcing the anchovy and rising vinegar prices are putting pressure on the cost of Worcestershire sauce. Additionally, fishmeal prices rose 40% globally in early 2025.
The variations above lead to an unstable supply of anchovy-based ingredients, which impacts the manufacturers of Worcestershire sauce. And complex ingredients such as tamarind and molasses are also part of the pricing pressure, as more than one commodity cost rises at the same time.
Tartar Sauce
Pickle relish and mayonnaise base ingredient prices push tartar sauce prices higher. Cucumber crops, which are vital to pickle production, saw lower yields in critical growing areas this year because of heavy rains at the wrong time. Tartar sauce is a specialty product; the industry can’t change ingredients to achieve the same required flavor profile.
Steak Sauce
Molasses and tomato concentrate price fluctuations result in high cost pressures for the manufacturers of steak sauce. The supply challenges in Caribbean molasses, which influence the cost of the barbecue sauce, also affect the cost of steak sauce. Specialty ingredients used in many steak sauce formulations, including Worcestershire sauce, are also under pressure as costs rise.
Honey Mustard
Shortages of mustard seed impact honey mustard varieties as prices of honey rise. US honey production experienced a 60% decline due to colony collapse disorder and severe weather that affected bee colonies. The upscale nature of honey mustard flavors does allow for some pricing flexibility for manufacturers; however, consumers may resist higher prices, which could hinder market growth.
Teriyaki Sauce
Teriyaki sauce production is influenced by fluctuations in soy sauce base prices and increases in pineapple juice prices. Hawaiian pineapple production, although small, continues to influence the selling price of premium teriyaki varieties that contain genuine pineapple juice.
An increase in demand for Asian condiments also suggests a shift in the market to support higher prices; however, the challenge for manufacturers is to gauge the point at which costs must be passed on to consumers.
Key Takeaways
Increases in condiment prices in these 13 categories mirror larger economic pressures on food production and distribution. Sustained upward pressure on condiment pricing also stems from supply chain setbacks, the influence of climate change on agricultural production, and commodity price volatility. Firms must make difficult choices between absorbing rising costs and passing them on to customers.
Most have chosen to increase prices in order to safeguard their market share gradually. This gives consumers a window of opportunity to stock up on their favorite condiments before the price hikes take effect.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information. It is not intended to be professional advice.
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
16 Grocery Staples to Stock Up On Before Prices Spike Again
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.
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
6 Gas Station Chains With Food So Good It’s Worth Driving Out Of Your Way For
We scoured the Internet to see what people had to say about gas station food. If you think the only things available are wrinkled hot dogs of indeterminate age and day-glow slushies, we’ve got great, tasty news for you. Whether it ends up being part of a regular routine or your only resource on a long car trip, we have the food info you need.
Let’s look at 6 gas stations that folks can’t get enough of and see what they have for you to eat.
