How much did bananas cost in 1990?
Bananas averaged $0.46 per lb in 1990 — about $1.18 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000711211.
In 1990, bananas averaged $0.46 per lb at the U.S. city average, across all twelve months, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average price data. The monthly price ranged from $0.43 in January to $0.53 in July. Over the year it was little changed from $0.43 in January to $0.43 in December.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.46 in 1990 is worth about $1.18 in 2026 dollars. Today bananas averages $0.65 per lb, so in real terms it is 45% cheaper than it was in 1990. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 40% versus the 1990 average.
1990 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.43 | ▲ 3.1% |
| February | $0.49 | ▲ 14.7% |
| March | $0.50 | ▲ 1.6% |
| April | $0.48 | ▼ 3.8% |
| May | $0.46 | ▼ 4.0% |
| June | $0.45 | ▼ 3.3% |
| July | $0.53 | ▲ 18.3% |
| August | $0.46 | ▼ 12.5% |
| September | $0.47 | ▲ 0.4% |
| October | $0.43 | ▼ 7.1% |
| November | $0.43 | ▼ 0.7% |
| December | $0.43 | ▲ 0.2% |
| 1990 average | $0.46 |
FAQ
What was the average price of bananas in 1990?
Bananas averaged $0.46 per lb in 1990, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.46 of 1990 bananas worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.46 in 1990 is about $1.18 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1990 price of bananas compare to now?
Bananas now averages $0.65 per lb, up 40% from the 1990 average of $0.46.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Bananas price in 1990 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1990/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000711211. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1990/">Bananas price in 1990 (U.S. average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000711211; retrieved June 26, 2026) Basket Report. (2026). Bananas price in 1990 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/bananas/1990/