The USDA projects food inflation in 2022 to range from 4.5 percent to 5.5 percent. This is the highest rate in 14 years. In 2021, food inflation ranged from 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent.
Food-at-home prices will increase over a range of 3 to 4 percent in 2022. Restaurant prices will increase by 5.5 to 6.5 percent. Inflation in food prices transcends most consumer categories with meat, poultry, and fish up 13 percent in February 2022 compared to the corresponding month in 2021.