US: Year to date, meat department pounds up 1.8% vs. last year

August in review Inflation insights In August 2024 (the five weeks ending 9/1/2024), the price per unit across all foods and beverages in the Circana MULO+ universe stood at $4.23, an increase of 1.6% versus August 2023. This is higher than the 1.5% price year-over-year increase seen in July as well as the first quarter averages of +1.2%. Prices in the fresh perimeter were up 2.6% year-over-year in August versus 1.1% in the center of the store. The average price of $4.23 is 35.1% higher than the 2019, pre-pandemic average of $3.13. The average price per pound in the meat department across all cuts and kinds, both fixed and random weight, stood at $4.78 in August 2024, up 3.2% year-on-year. The average processed meat price stayed above $5, up 1.2% versus prior-year levels. August brought a mix of price movements. Pork, beef and bacon, in particular, experienced increases in price. Lamb, turkey, packaged lunchmeat, smoked ham and processed chicken experienced price declines. Meat ...