Grocery prices remain high, but they are improving.
In March, they were 8.5% higher compared with one year ago, but they actually fell 0.3% compared with one month ago, the latest federal data shows.
A handful of foods saw much larger price declines month over month — as high as 10.9%.
Following are the grocery items that saw the biggest one-month price drops over the course of March, according to the Consumer Price Index, one of the federal government’s gauges of inflation.
10. Fresh tomatoes
Latest one-month price change for this grocery category: 2.1% decrease
Tomatoes are one of two types of fresh vegetables on this list that are BLT sandwich staples. Their prices are falling just in time for summer!
If you’d rather save money on them by growing your own, however, check out “How to Start a Vegetable Garden (That Won’t Overwhelm You).”
8. Uncooked beef roasts (tie)
Latest one-month price change for this grocery category: 2.3% decrease
Meat eaters, take heart: Beef roasts are the first of three different types of meat-based products that saw sizeable month-over-month price declines in March.
For more ways to save on such protein, check out “7 Ways to Slice the Price of Red Meat, Pork and Poultry.”
8. Peanut butter (tie)
Latest one-month price change for this grocery category: 2.3% decrease
Peanut butter is one of two beloved spreadable foods on this list.
7. Instant coffee
Latest one-month price change for this grocery category: 2.4% decrease
While prices for roasted coffee were flat in March, changing by 0% month over month, prices for instant coffee saw a decent decline.
No such luck for coffeecake, however. That baked treat part of a category (along with sweetrolls and doughnuts) that saw prices rise by 1.3% in March compared with February.
6. Other fresh fruits
Latest one-month price change for this grocery category: 2.7% decrease
This oddly named category refers to fruits excluding apples (prices fell 0.5% in March), bananas (1.5% decrease) and citrus fruits (0.3% decrease), as they have their own categories.
5. Frankfurters
Latest one-month price change for this grocery category: 2.9% decrease
Prices are falling on this summer staple just in time for outdoor grilling and picnics.
4. Ham
Latest one-month price change for this grocery category: 4.8% decrease
Non-canned ham in particular saw a steep price drop in March — down 5.1% month over month.
3. Fresh lettuce
Latest one-month price change for this grocery category: 5.7% decrease
Not only are salads good for your health, but they should be less expensive now, thanks to falling lettuce prices.
2. Butter
Latest one-month price change for this grocery category: 6% decrease
It became cheaper in March to spread a pad of butter across your morning toast.
1. Eggs
Latest one-month price change for this grocery category: 10.9% decrease
Eggs have been the poster child for rising grocery prices lately, with the cost of a dozen soaring above $7 in some places earlier this year. Prices finally are coming down now.
Before you crack your next egg, make sure you are aware of the “8 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Cooking Eggs.”
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