Are Food Prices Going Down? Trump's Claim vs. Reality

President Donald Trump has said he is making groceries more affordable for Americans, but official inflation data shows that food-at-home prices continued to rise in April.

On Wednesday, Trump shared a graphic on Truth Social claiming he was "making food affordable." The image listed grocery items that it said had seen price drops, including avocados (-19 percent), eggs (-90 percent), olive oil (-16 percent) and chicken breast (-2.4 percent). The post cited U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service data combined with Circana Retail Scanner Data.

But the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)' latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for April showed overall food-at-home prices rose 2.9 percent over the previous 12 months, while some grocery items recorded much steeper increases, including tomatoes at 39.7 percent and coffee at 18.5 percent.

The cost of groceries and other everyday essentials has remained one of the most politically sensitive economic issues facing the Trump administration. Recent polling shows that many Americans continue to blame the president for affordability pressures and rising household costs, while inflation has contributed to a decline in Trump's approval ratings ahead of the midterm elections in November.

Newsweek has not independently verified the figures cited by Trump. While the USDA publishes analysis based on Circana data, the private market research firm does not make all of its underlying retail scanner data publicly available.

Newsweek has contacted Circana and the USDA Economic Research Service for comment via email. It has also contacted the White House.

What Does Official Data Shows About Grocery Prices?

Official inflation data from the BLS shows that grocery prices continued to rise overall, although some categories recorded declines.

The agency's latest CPI data, published last month, showed that the "food at home" category-which tracks grocery store purchases-rose 2.9 percent over the 12 months ending in April, while the broader food index increased 3.2 percent.

Several major grocery categories recorded annual price increases. The fruits and vegetables index rose 6.1 percent year-over-year, while nonalcoholic beverages increased 5.1 percent. Cereals and bakery products rose 2.6 percent and meats, poultry, fish and eggs increased 1.5 percent overall.

At the same time, some categories saw prices ease. The BLS data showed that dairy and related products fell 0.6 percent over the year, while egg prices declined from record highs in 2026 after avian flu outbreaks disrupted supply.

Which Grocery Items Increased Most?

The BLS data showed that several individual grocery items recorded sharp price increases over the past 12 months. Among the largest increases were:

• Tomatoes - 39.7 percent

• Instant coffee - 22.8 percent

• Coffee - 18.5 percent

• Uncooked beef roasts - 17.8 percent

• Roasted coffee - 17.3 percent

• Uncooked beef steaks - 16.1 percent

• Uncooked ground beef - 14.5 percent

• Frozen fish and seafood - 12.0 percent

Which Grocery Items Became Cheaper?

While overall grocery prices continued to rise, some individual food items recorded declines, largely in dairy-related products and eggs. Among the largest decreases over the last 12 months were:

• Eggs - 39.2 percent

• Butter - 5.8 percent

• Margarine - 4.4 percent

• Cheese and related products - 3.1 percent

• Potatoes - 3.0 percent

• Flour and prepared flour mixes - 2.8 percent

• Baby food and formula - 2.3 percent

• Fresh whole chicken - 1.8 percent

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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 11:22 AM.