THE GROCERY PRICE INDEX

How much did potatoes cost in 2002?

Potatoes averaged $0.49 per lb in 2002 — about $0.91 in 2026 dollars.

Potatoes price in 2002 Monthly average price (USD per lb) · 2002
$0.40$0.45$0.50$0.55$0.60JanMarMayJulAugOctDecJan 2002$0.43Aug 2002$0.56Dec 2002$0.48basketreport.com

12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000712112.

In 2002, potatoes averaged $0.49 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 $0.56 in August. Over the year it rose from $0.43 in January to $0.48 in December, a 12.4% increase.

Adjusted for inflation, $0.49 in 2002 is worth about $0.91 in 2026 dollars. Today potatoes averages $0.89 per lb, so in real terms it is 2% cheaper than it was in 2002. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 82% versus the 2002 average.

2002 monthly prices

MonthPriceMoM
January $0.43 ▲ 3.9%
February $0.45 ▲ 4.9%
March $0.47 ▲ 4.0%
April $0.49 ▲ 6.0%
May $0.51 ▲ 3.0%
June $0.52 ▲ 1.8%
July $0.55 ▲ 6.2%
August $0.56 ▲ 1.8%
September $0.51 ▼ 8.6%
October $0.49 ▼ 3.7%
November $0.47 ▼ 3.9%
December $0.48 ▲ 1.3%
2002 average$0.49

FAQ

What was the average price of potatoes in 2002?

Potatoes averaged $0.49 per lb in 2002, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.

How much is $0.49 of 2002 potatoes worth today?

Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.49 in 2002 is about $0.91 in 2026 dollars.

How does the 2002 price of potatoes compare to now?

Potatoes now averages $0.89 per lb, up 82% from the 2002 average of $0.49.

Cite this

Plain text
Basket Report. "Potatoes price in 2002 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/potatoes/2002/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000712112.
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<a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/potatoes/2002/">Potatoes price in 2002 (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 2002 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/potatoes/2002/