Food prices have always gone up and down, but right now a lot of people are thinking about buying extra amounts of certain items before costs jump higher. Maybe you’ve noticed some of your favorite products getting more expensive lately, or you’ve heard friends talking about filling their pantries with extra coffee or canned goods. With changes in trade policies and supply chain issues affecting what we pay at checkout, it makes sense to think about which foods are worth buying a bit more of now. Here’s what people are actually putting in their carts before prices climb even higher.
Coffee could become much more expensive soon
Your morning cup might cost you a lot more in the coming months. Most coffee doesn’t grow in the United States, and we get it from places like South America and Central America. One person mentioned buying vacuum-sealed blocks of coffee that look like bricks and can last a really long time. If you keep regular ground coffee in the fridge, it stays fresh longer than you might think. Coffee beans will also keep for a while as long as you store them somewhere dry.
Someone else shared that they bought several bags of their favorite Guatemalan coffee beans at Costco before prices went up, paying around $11 per bag. Those same bags now cost about $14, which is a pretty big jump in just a few months. Whether you prefer whole beans, ground coffee, or even instant coffee, all of these options store well and won’t go bad quickly. Stocking up on coffee now could save you quite a bit of money over the next year, especially if you drink it every day.
Canned vegetables and tomatoes are pantry staples worth buying
Canned goods have always been a smart choice for keeping your pantry stocked, and right now they’re especially important to consider. One shopper said they filled an extra closet with cans of tomatoes, beans, and vegetables. These items last for years and you can use them in so many different meals. The concern is that anything packaged in metal containers or made with metal components will likely cost more as raw materials become pricier. San Marzano tomatoes, which are the secret ingredient in many delicious tomato sauces, come from Italy and might see big price increases.
Canned jalapeños and chili peppers are also on people’s shopping lists, especially since many of these products come from Mexico even when they’re packaged in the United States. One person pointed out that even Amazon’s own brand of canned jalapeños says they’re packed in the US with chilies from Mexico. If you like adding some heat to your meals, grabbing a few extra cans now makes sense. The same goes for canned hot sauce and other spicy condiments that might become harder to afford. These products have such long shelf lives that buying extra won’t result in any waste.
Rice and dried beans are seeing increased demand
If your family eats a lot of rice, you’re probably noticing that other people have the same idea about buying more of it. Someone mentioned picking up a big bag at Costco along with some specialty beans from Rancho Gordo. Another person said they don’t have a Costco membership but sometimes their husband stops at the Korean grocery store to buy huge bags of jasmine or basmati rice. These large bags might seem like a lot upfront, but if you eat rice regularly, they’ll get used up faster than you think.
The great thing about rice and dried beans is that they store incredibly well when kept in a dry place. You can transfer them to airtight containers to keep them fresh even longer. Both of these staples form the base of countless meals from different cuisines around the world. Whether you’re making a simple rice and beans dish, adding them to soups, or using them as a side dish, having plenty on hand means you won’t have to worry about running out or paying higher prices later. Just remember that really old dried beans can take longer to soften when cooking, so try to use them within a couple of years if possible.
Kerrygold butter is worth grabbing while it’s still affordable
Butter might not be the first thing you think about when considering what to stock up on, but European butter brands like Kerrygold are imported from Ireland and could get significantly more expensive. People love Kerrygold because it has a richer taste than many American butter brands, and bakers especially prefer it for pastries and other recipes. Several shoppers said their freezers are now full of Kerrygold butter from warehouse stores. One person mentioned it’s currently on sale at Costco, so they’ve been grabbing a few boxes every time they visit.
The good news is that butter freezes really well and can last for months in your freezer without losing quality. Someone joked that they’re stocked up for the entire year, which might sound like a lot but isn’t unreasonable if you bake regularly or just prefer the taste of European butter for everyday use. While there are plenty of American butter brands that work just fine for most purposes, if you’ve gotten used to the taste and quality of imported butter, buying extra now could be a smart move. Just make sure you have enough freezer space to store it properly.
Spices and seasonings will probably cost more soon
The United States imports most of its spices from countries like India and China, which means your spice rack could become a lot more expensive to refill. One smart shopper recommended buying whole unground spices like black peppercorns and whole nutmeg instead of pre-ground versions. Whole spices last much longer and you can grind them yourself when you need them, which also gives you fresher taste. They also suggested checking out immigrant markets and ethnic grocery stores, where spice prices are usually much lower than regular supermarkets.
Think about which spices you use most often in your cooking and consider buying larger amounts of those. Cinnamon, cumin, coriander, turmeric, and other common spices might all see price increases. Salt is another seasoning that’s often imported, even though it seems like such a basic ingredient. If you like to cook different types of cuisine at home, having a well-stocked spice cabinet becomes even more important when prices go up. Buying spices in bulk from warehouse stores or specialty markets can save you money right now and keep your meals interesting even if you need to cut back on other grocery spending later.
Olive oil and cooking oils deserve attention right now
Most olive oil comes from countries like Italy, Portugal, Tunisia, and Greece, which means this pantry staple could become noticeably pricier. One person said they’re planning to grab a year’s worth of olive oil from Costco before prices climb. Avocado oil is another option that might cost more since it’s often processed in the United States but made from Mexican avocados. If you cook with these oils regularly, buying extra bottles now makes a lot of sense. They have decent shelf lives, especially if you store them in a cool, dark place.
You might want to check what other cooking oils you use frequently too. Sesame oil, which is common in Asian cooking, could also see price increases since it’s imported. Someone mentioned planning to stock up on sesame oil along with soy sauce during their next trip to the Chinese supermarket. These specialty cooking oils add so much taste to your meals that it would be disappointing to have to skip them because they became too expensive. Buying a few extra bottles now means you won’t have to change how you cook your favorite dishes, even if prices at the grocery store change dramatically over the coming months.
Chocolate and nuts might become luxury items
Most of the world’s chocolate comes from West Africa, and price increases could make your favorite candy bars and baking chocolate much more expensive. Someone specifically mentioned stocking up on Moser Roth 85% dark chocolate bars from Germany, ordering six bars to keep on hand. If you bake a lot or just enjoy chocolate as a snack, this is definitely something to think about. Chocolate chips, baking chocolate, and chocolate bars all store well in a cool place, and even better in the refrigerator or freezer.
When it comes to nuts, the situation is mixed. Pecans and peanuts grow in the United States, so those should stay relatively affordable. However, cashews, pine nuts, macadamia nuts, and Brazil nuts mostly come from other countries and could get much pricier. If you snack on nuts regularly or use them in cooking and baking, consider which types you really love and stock up on those. Nuts do contain oils that can go rancid over time, so storing them in the freezer is your best bet if you’re buying large amounts. They’ll stay fresh for months that way and you can just grab what you need as you go.
International specialty items need a spot in your pantry
If you like cooking Thai, Indian, or other international cuisines at home, now is a good time to stock up on specialty ingredients. Thai curry paste, coconut milk from Thailand, Indian spice blends, ready-made meal kits from brands like Gits and MTR, and similar products all come from overseas. One person mentioned buying six cans of Aroy-D coconut milk from Thailand to make sure they had enough. These items often have long shelf lives and are essential for making authentic-tasting dishes at home, so running out would mean either paying higher prices or changing what you cook.
Asian markets and international grocery stores often have better prices on these items than regular supermarkets, and they carry larger sizes too. Someone suggested making a trip to H-mart or similar stores to stock up on things you know you’ll need anyway. Soy sauce, fish sauce, Asian noodles, and other staples of Asian cooking are worth buying extra of right now. Mexican ingredients like certain types of dried chiles might also become harder to afford. Think about what you regularly use in your cooking and make a list before you head to your local international market. You’ll thank yourself later when you can still make your favorite meals without breaking the bank.
Wine and other imported drinks are on people’s minds
Imported wines like Champagne, Prosecco, and Chianti could all see price jumps in the coming months. One person mentioned buying a few cases of wine because they’ll drink it eventually anyway, so why not get it now at current prices. Another person said they bought more Scotch, which makes sense since it comes from Scotland. If you have favorite imported drinks that you enjoy regularly, buying a few extra bottles now could save you money down the road. Wine stores well if you keep it in a cool, dark place, and spirits last indefinitely.
Even non-alcoholic imported drinks might cost more soon. Think about things like certain teas, specialty sodas, or other beverages you regularly enjoy. Canadian maple syrup is another item people are stocking up on, with several shoppers mentioning they now keep more than one bottle in their pantry. While it might seem expensive to buy several bottles at once, maple syrup lasts for a long time and you’ll eventually use it all. The same thinking applies to other imported food items that you love but don’t necessarily need, they’re treats worth having even when money is tight, so buying them now at current prices makes sense.
Shopping with future prices in mind doesn’t mean you need to panic or fill your entire house with groceries. It just means being thoughtful about the things you regularly use and buy that might cost more soon. Focus on items with long shelf lives that you know your family will actually eat and use. Check your storage space before you buy huge amounts of anything, and remember that some things like nuts and whole grain flours last much longer in the freezer. Most importantly, buy what makes sense for your budget right now, stocking up only works if you can afford it without creating financial stress today.
