Americans should expect to pay more for seafood at retail this year, but the price hikes are not as high as they will be for other commodities.
The overall food-at-home consumer price index (CPI) is forecast to increase between one and two percent in 2019, according to the United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service.
The USDA expects prices on fish and seafood to rise between 0.25 percent and 1.25 in 2019, the agency said in a recent report. However, beef, veal, and poultry prices are all expected to rise between one and two percent.
Meanwhile, dairy retail prices are projected to rise between three and four percent, while fresh vegetable prices will rise between 2.5 percent and 3.5 percent, and fresh fruit will rise between two and three percent. The USDA projects that cereals and bakery products will climb between two and three percent.
In addition to commodity prices, prices for other factors of production may influence retail food prices in 2019.
“Electricity and diesel costs, as well as many other costs associated with food production, transport, and retail sales, are expected to rise, placing upward pressure on prices,” USDA said in the report.
Meanwhile, the USDA projects that food-away-from-home prices are expected to continue growing at a consistent pace, rising between two and three percent this year.
