THE GROCERY PRICE INDEX

How much did chicken breast cost in 2012?

Chicken breast averaged $3.24 per lb in 2012 — about $4.73 in 2026 dollars.

Chicken breast price in 2012 Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 2012
$3.10$3.20$3.30$3.40$3.50JanMarMayJulAugOctDecJan 2012$3.15Oct 2012$3.43Dec 2012$3.27basketreport.com

12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000FF1101.

In 2012, chicken breast averaged $3.24 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 $3.11 in February to $3.43 in October. Over the year it rose from $3.15 in January to $3.27 in December, a 3.9% increase.

Adjusted for inflation, $3.24 in 2012 is worth about $4.73 in 2026 dollars. Today chicken breast averages $4.17 per lb, so in real terms it is 12% cheaper than it was in 2012. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 29% versus the 2012 average.

2012 monthly prices

MonthPriceMoM
January $3.15 ▲ 1.4%
February $3.11 ▼ 1.0%
March $3.18 ▲ 2.3%
April $3.17 ▼ 0.3%
May $3.12 ▼ 1.6%
June $3.20 ▲ 2.3%
July $3.36 ▲ 5.2%
August $3.37 ▲ 0.2%
September $3.12 ▼ 7.5%
October $3.43 ▲ 10.0%
November $3.41 ▼ 0.5%
December $3.27 ▼ 4.3%
2012 average$3.24

FAQ

What was the average price of chicken breast in 2012?

Chicken breast averaged $3.24 per lb in 2012, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.

How much is $3.24 of 2012 chicken breast worth today?

Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $3.24 in 2012 is about $4.73 in 2026 dollars.

How does the 2012 price of chicken breast compare to now?

Chicken breast now averages $4.17 per lb, up 29% from the 2012 average of $3.24.

Cite this

Plain text
Basket Report. "Chicken breast price in 2012 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken-breast/2012/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000FF1101.
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<a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken-breast/2012/">Chicken breast price in 2012 (U.S. average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000FF1101; retrieved June 26, 2026)
APA
Basket Report. (2026). Chicken breast price in 2012 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/chicken-breast/2012/