THE GROCERY PRICE INDEX

How much did potatoes cost in 1999?

Potatoes averaged $0.39 per lb in 1999 — about $0.78 in 2026 dollars.

Potatoes price in 1999 Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 1999
$0.38$0.39$0.40$0.41$0.42$0.43$0.44JanMarMayJulAugOctDecJan 1999$0.38Aug 1999$0.43Dec 1999$0.40basketreport.com

12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000712112.

In 1999, potatoes averaged $0.39 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 $0.38 in April to $0.43 in August. Over the year it rose from $0.38 in January to $0.40 in December, a 3.7% increase.

Adjusted for inflation, $0.39 in 1999 is worth about $0.78 in 2026 dollars. Today potatoes averages $0.89 per lb, so in real terms it is 15% more expensive than it was in 1999. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 129% versus the 1999 average.

1999 monthly prices

MonthPriceMoM
January $0.38 ▲ 1.6%
February $0.38 ▲ 0.3%
March $0.38 ▲ 0.5%
April $0.38 ▼ 1.0%
May $0.39 ▲ 2.1%
June $0.39 ▲ 0.8%
July $0.41 ▲ 5.1%
August $0.43 ▲ 4.4%
September $0.41 ▼ 3.7%
October $0.39 ▼ 4.8%
November $0.38 ▼ 2.3%
December $0.40 ▲ 2.9%
1999 average$0.39

FAQ

What was the average price of potatoes in 1999?

Potatoes averaged $0.39 per lb in 1999, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.

How much is $0.39 of 1999 potatoes worth today?

Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.39 in 1999 is about $0.78 in 2026 dollars.

How does the 1999 price of potatoes compare to now?

Potatoes now averages $0.89 per lb, up 129% from the 1999 average of $0.39.

Cite this

Plain text
Basket Report. "Potatoes price in 1999 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/potatoes/1999/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000712112.
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<a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/potatoes/1999/">Potatoes price in 1999 (U.S. average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000712112; retrieved June 26, 2026)
APA
Basket Report. (2026). Potatoes price in 1999 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/potatoes/1999/