Top foods to buy now before prices increase

I have always followed world news, financial markets, and watched harvests and weather conditions. This has saved me lots of money for years. For example, I slowly stocked up on on olive oil and coffee before they doubled in price.  Flour and wheat products were bought as the Ukrainian/Russian war started, and my baking cupboard is full of cocoa which cost me half the price that it is now. I am even still using sugar that cost me 55p 3 years ago as my ethos is to buy now before prices go up.

The global situation, and poor harvests, unfortunately means that food will continue to rise in price. It might not suprise you that these are the foods that I think will be impacted the most during this year. Those we use most of, I will be buying extra, to give me a bit of a buffer against inflated prices.

1. Coffee.  Climate changes are impacting crops in Vietnam and Brazil and there are labour shortages on plantations. Higher shipping and fuel prices are expected as well. The market is very volatile and global supply has had some shocks recently. Instant Coffee will store up to 2 years, and ground coffee can be frozen.

2. Chocolate and Cocoa. Cocoa crops have been badly hit by the weather, and disease, in West Africa which has led to global shortages. The cost of processing chocolate has also increased as energy costs increase. Cocoa will freeze to prolong it’s life, though you need to be careful of condensation. Dark chocolate will store up to 2 years in a cool dark place if you are not a chocoholic like me.

3. Olive oil. There have been severe droughts in Mediterranean countries leading to poor harvests of olives, especiallly in Spain and Italy. Production is also very energy intensive. Prices have already doubled. Olive oil can go rancid but will last up to 2 years if bought in dark glass bottles, and stored in a cool, dark place.

4. Butter and dairy. Cattle feed is increasing in cost due to the increased cost of fertiliser. Dairy farms are disappearing as supermarkets squeeze farmers by offering them less money for the milk. Many can not make a profit. Milking and processing requires a lot of energy, as well. I bought lots of buttter recently as Farmfoods had it on offer. It was 10 blocks for £10. I also have home made butter frozen which was made from reduced cream. Butter freezes for 6 to 9 months, officially, but I have used it after a year. Milk will freeze for short periods of time. I freeze it in ice cube trays for drinks and soups if a bottle needs using up. Long life milk, or powdered milk is also handy to have in your larder.

5. Beef. This has really been rising in cost this last year. We only buy it when on offer. There is a third off in some supermarkets now as we approach Easter. The cost of feed has increased, herds are being reduced, and transport costs are high. Buying larger packs of things like mince or chunks, and then freezing in portions, is cheaper. A big joint can also be bought, when on offer, and cut into smaller joints, slices, chunks, or minced.

6. Wheat and bread products. Fertiliser and diesel costs are increasing,  and weather extremes in some countries are impacting on harvests. The global crop market is showing volatility. As fuel costs increase, products like pasta, flour, bread and cereals are likely to increase. Flour and pasta keep for up to 2 years if stored properly. I recently ate a bag of dried pasta from 2021 and it was perfectly fine.

7. Eggs will unfortunately still keep rising in cost. Poultry feed is rising in price, and Avian flu are  having an impact on the market. Energy costs for the farms are also increasing. Eggs can be frozen raw if whisked. They can also be pickled or preserved in other ways. Egg powder can also be stored. I have adapted my baking by using apple sauce, flax seeds with water, or bicarbonate of soda with vinegar as an egg substitute.

8. Citrus fruits and juice.  Bad weather and crop disease has damaged many growing areas. The transportation costs are also high. I canned some satsumas last year and they turned out fine. I also freeze slices of lemon when I find them discounted to have in my hot water in a morning. The skins can be grated and dried to flavour baking, or used in cleaning products.  Juice can be frozen or bought in long life cartons. I buy the high juice cordial as a treat for my grandson, sometimes. I noticed that there wasn’t any in Aldi today, but fresh oranges and limes were on offer.

Buying some of these things now can help us beat inflation. Research shows that it is often the own brands that rise the fastest in price, or are absent from the shelves. I tried to buy the 28p baked beans from Aldi this morning, but they only had 40p or 59p ones (and Heinz cartons). Remember though, that shelf life, and regularly rotating your pantry, will stop you wasting your money and food.  I have also decided to stock up on dates and dried fruit as they are imported. I think the price of those will rise. There isn’t any evidence for this, though. Being able to make Christmas cake and treats is important to us. Are you keeping your pantry stocked?

Other blogs that might help

Be proactive and don’t panic

Keeping a full pantry for little money

7 tips for Building a Stock Cupboard

2026 pantry preparedness