10 Types of Groceries Hit Hardest by Shrinkflation

Have you noticed that many grocery store items are shrinking in size, but remaining the same price?

This grocery tactic has been dubbed “shrinkflation.” The federal government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tracks the grocery store product categories with the highest instances of shrinkflation, and a recent report from nonprofit Groundwork Collaborative analyzed those numbers.

Following are the types of groceries that saw the biggest price increases due to shrinkflation between January 2019 and October 2023, according to Groundwork Collaborative’s analysis, working up from No. 10 to the most shrinkflated category.

10. Sugar and artificial sweeteners

Overall price increase from January 2019 to October 2023: 44.5%, including shrinkflation

How much of that increase was due to shrinkflation: 3.3%

White, brown and raw sugar in forms ranging from granules to powder fall into this category, as well as most artificial alternatives. Honey, agave, maple syrup and corn syrup are excluded.

9. Frozen prepared foods

Overall price increase from January 2019 to October 2023: 29.3%, including shrinkflation

How much of that increase was due to shrinkflation: 4%

This category includes most frozen prepared meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That means breakfast bowls, pizza rolls, chicken nuggets and the like.

It does not include a number of stand-alone products that aren’t presented as a meal, such as frozen french fries, frozen waffles and similar things.

8. Fresh biscuits, rolls and muffins

Overall price increase from January 2019 to October 2023: 28.1%, including shrinkflation

How much of that increase was due to shrinkflation: 4.6%

Any fresh roll (except cinnamon rolls or similar sweet rolls), biscuit or muffin counts in this category regardless of the type of flour used. Frozen or refrigerated dough products are not part of this category, nor are other types of bread such as naan or pita bread.

7. Other processed fruits and vegetables

Overall price increase from January 2019 to October 2023: 23.7%, including shrinkflation

How much of that increase was due to shrinkflation: 5.4%

This category includes processed fruits and vegetables that are not canned, frozen or in a prepared dish: things like fruit bars or “chips” made of dried fruit. It doesn’t include things like fruit snacks or trail mix that includes fruit.

5. Ice cream and related products (tie)

Overall price increase from January 2019 to October 2023: 21.4%, including shrinkflation

How much of that increase was due to shrinkflation: 7.0%

Anything from frozen yogurt to ice cream cakes to popsicles, as well as non-dairy alternatives, falls into this category.

5. Candy and chewing gum (tie)

Overall price increase from January 2019 to October 2023: 29.7%, including shrinkflation

How much of that increase was due to shrinkflation: 7.0%

Most chocolate and other candy, as well as fruit snacks, fall into this category. Gum and breath mints also do, but not cough drops, cake sprinkles, marshmallows and similar sweet-but-not-candy things.

4. Coffee

Overall price increase from January 2019 to October 2023: 22.0%, including shrinkflation

How much of that increase was due to shrinkflation: 7.2%

Any nonfrozen roasted coffee or instant coffee is in this category, but coffee-flavored things are not.

3. Household cleaning products

Overall price increase from January 2019 to October 2023: 24.5%, including shrinkflation

How much of that increase was due to shrinkflation: 7.3%

This category includes products for cleaning the house (not your body — so no hand soap) such as window cleaner, bathroom cleaners, detergents, bleach and the like.

2. Snacks

Overall price increase from January 2019 to October 2023: 26.4%, including shrinkflation

How much of that increase was due to shrinkflation: 9.8%

Chips, popcorn, cheese-flavored snacks, crackers and trail mix all fall into this category. So do nuts of all types.

1. Household paper products

Overall price increase from January 2019 to October 2023: 34.9%, including shrinkflation

How much of that increase was due to shrinkflation: 10.3%

This category includes tissues, toilet paper, paper towels and napkins. It excludes paper bags, wax paper, gift wrap, printer paper, stationery and the like.