Rising Triscuit Prices Reflect Inflation Trends

The humble Triscuit cracker, a staple in American pantries since 1902, has seen its price rise along with other grocery items in recent years. The journey of a Triscuit from a wheat farm in Michigan to your kitchen cabinet involves many steps, each contributing to the final cost at your local store. “Everything that happens upstream magnifies itself on the way to the grocery store,” said Brian Ferrier, senior vice president of merchandising for regional grocer Giant Eagle.

“All of those different points along the way are often lost in the microscope that grocery prices are under right now.”

Factors affecting food prices include labor costs, transportation, energy prices, and global events like the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which disrupted grain shipments and affected oil prices. Weather conditions such as droughts and floods in food-producing regions also play a significant role. The COVID-19 pandemic had a major impact on grocery prices, with the Consumer Price Index showing an 11.5% increase in 2022 and a 5% increase in 2023, much higher than the 20-year historical average of 2.7%.

Rising grocery prices and inflation

“The covid market shock had multiple effects on the economy,” said Penn State University agribusiness professor Stan Ernst. “It affected the cost of production, delivery, and ultimately the supply.”

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, both candidates have addressed the issue of grocery price inflation.

The Federal Trade Commission is examining food companies’ profits, which have risen since the pandemic, and there are concerns about “shrinkflation,” where companies reduce product sizes while maintaining prices. U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania, supports the Price Gouging Prevention Act to address and define “price gouging” and empower the FTC to take action against exploitative companies.

However, the multifaceted nature of inflation, encompassing everything from labor and transportation costs to global disruptions and corporate practices, continues to impact the prices consumers see on grocery store shelves.