Preparing Christmas dinner at home for a family of four last month cost approximately $50.56 in the United States, or 7% more than in 2022, according price analysis by Category Partners based on NielsenIQ grocery data collected from more than 35,000 food stores over a 52-week through December 2, 2023. In comparison with 2021, the cost was up 18.5%.
Historical price changes between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday period were used to forecast price trends. A “sample” meal was then priced utilizing historical data. The sample meal projected the cost of purchasing a meal from a supermarket for a family of four including dinner rolls, salad with dressing, potatoes, beans, stuffing, ham and store-made pie.
“Slowing food price inflation across the supermarket is good news for consumers,” said Tom Barnes, chief executive officer of Idaho Falls, Idaho-based Category Partners. “The data confirms that while prices remain elevated the alarming food price inflation we saw two years ago has moderated.”
The cost of frozen products was up 7.8% in during the 52-week period measured last year, compared to +9.5% for baked goods and +10.5% for grocery items. Seafood was the only category lower in price, at -1.7%. Other department increases included produce (+2.2%), meat (+2.4%), dairy (+6.9%) deli and floral (+5% each)
Price increases vary dramatically by item. For example, the average price per pound for beef steak is $9.43 per pound, up 6.8% compared to 2022. The price for beef brisket is $4.52, down -1.0% from the previous year. Ham on average sells for $2.42 per pound, and turkey is offered at about $2.96 per pound.
