How much did potatoes cost in 1990?
Potatoes averaged $0.37 per lb in 1990 — about $0.95 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000712112.
In 1990, potatoes averaged $0.37 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 $0.32 in November to $0.43 in April. Over the year it fell from $0.33 in January to $0.32 in December, a 4.5% decline.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.37 in 1990 is worth about $0.95 in 2026 dollars. Today potatoes averages $0.89 per lb, so in real terms it is 6% cheaper than it was in 1990. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 142% versus the 1990 average.
1990 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.33 | ▲ 6.4% |
| February | $0.36 | ▲ 6.6% |
| March | $0.39 | ▲ 9.0% |
| April | $0.43 | ▲ 12.1% |
| May | $0.43 | ▼ 1.6% |
| June | $0.42 | ▼ 1.2% |
| July | $0.41 | ▼ 4.0% |
| August | $0.38 | ▼ 5.9% |
| September | $0.35 | ▼ 8.7% |
| October | $0.32 | ▼ 7.5% |
| November | $0.32 | ▼ 2.2% |
| December | $0.32 | ▲ 0.9% |
| 1990 average | $0.37 |
FAQ
What was the average price of potatoes in 1990?
Potatoes averaged $0.37 per lb in 1990, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.37 of 1990 potatoes worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.37 in 1990 is about $0.95 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1990 price of potatoes compare to now?
Potatoes now averages $0.89 per lb, up 142% from the 1990 average of $0.37.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Potatoes price in 1990 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/potatoes/1990/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000712112. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/potatoes/1990/">Potatoes price in 1990 (U.S. average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000712112; retrieved June 26, 2026) Basket Report. (2026). Potatoes price in 1990 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/potatoes/1990/