美国消费者应对50年来最大食品涨价潮

美国食品杂货价格经历了半个世纪以来最剧烈的上扬，自2019年初以来累计上涨33%1，其中2022年单年涨幅就达到11.4%2。这波物价冲击促使数百万美国消费者改变购物习惯，通过使用优惠券、比价购物和减少高价食品等方式来应对1。受冲击最严重的是低收入家庭，他们的食品支出占家庭收入的33%，远高于平均家庭的12.9%1。

食品价格涨幅在地域上差异明显，圣路易斯同比上涨2%，而旧金山则上涨6%1。一些商品涨幅特别突出，牛肉价格自2019年初以来上升79%，到2024年6月达到每磅6.82美元1；咖啡价格同期上升54%2；受特朗普政府对墨西哥番茄征收17%关税影响，新鲜番茄价格同比上涨19.5%2。尽管整体通胀率已回落，但杂货店价格仍居高不下，呈现出"火箭与羽毛"效应——价格上升迅速但下降缓慢2。

消费者行为也随之发生转变。购买店铺自有品牌商品成为热潮，相关销售达到创纪录的2828亿美元2，许多人转向折扣零售商寻求更低价格2。同时，SNAP参与人数从上年同期至2024年4月下降12%，至3700万人1。零售商也开始做出回应，沃尔玛在7月初推出了牛肉、玉米、樱桃等商品的降价促销2。预计2025年食品价格将上涨2.7%2。

Food prices in the United States have surged 33% since early 2019, marking the largest increase in half a century and prompting millions of consumers to fundamentally reshape their purchasing behavior.1 The 2022 food inflation spike reached 11.4%, the highest level in five decades, and despite moderating inflation rates, grocery bills have remained stubbornly elevated in what economists describe as a "rockets and feathers" effect—prices rise sharply but descend slowly.2 This persistent affordability crisis has forced shoppers across income levels to adopt cost-cutting strategies including coupon usage, price comparison shopping, and shifting toward store brands and discount retailers.

The impact falls unevenly across the country and income brackets. Ground beef prices have climbed 79% since early 2019, reaching $6.82 per pound in June 2024.1 Fresh tomato prices jumped 19.5% year-over-year following the Trump administration's 17% tariff on Mexican tomatoes, while coffee prices have risen 54% over the same five-year period.2 Regional variations are significant, with Saint Louis experiencing a 2% year-over-year increase compared to San Francisco's 6% gain.1 Low-income households, defined as the poorest fifth by earnings, now dedicate 33% of their income to food expenses, nearly triple the 12.9% average for typical families.1 Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program declined 12% to 37 million people by April 2024 compared to the prior year.1

Consumer responses reflect deepening economic strain. Store-brand sales reached a record $282.8 billion as households trade down from name-brand products.2 Research by Bain & Co. and NielsenIQ found that grocery purchases by volume declined during the second half of last year, indicating consumers are buying less even as they spend more.2 Some retailers, including Walmart, began reducing prices on select items such as beef, corn, and cherries in early July.2 Jared Bernstein emphasized the fundamental nature of the challenge, stating "You need groceries to live."1