How much did sugar cost in 1987?
Sugar averaged $0.35 per lb in 1987 — about $1.03 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000715211.
In 1987, sugar averaged $0.35 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 $0.35 in April to $0.36 in September. Over the year it rose from $0.35 in January to $0.36 in December, a 1.1% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.35 in 1987 is worth about $1.03 in 2026 dollars. Today sugar averages $1.03 per lb, so in real terms it is about the same than it was in 1987. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 195% versus the 1987 average.
1987 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.35 | ▲ 1.1% |
| February | $0.35 | ▼ 0.8% |
| March | $0.35 | — |
| April | $0.35 | ▼ 1.1% |
| May | $0.35 | ▲ 2.3% |
| June | $0.35 | ▼ 0.6% |
| July | $0.35 | ▼ 0.6% |
| August | $0.36 | ▲ 1.7% |
| September | $0.36 | ▲ 1.1% |
| October | $0.36 | — |
| November | $0.36 | ▼ 0.6% |
| December | $0.36 | ▼ 0.3% |
| 1987 average | $0.35 |
FAQ
What was the average price of sugar in 1987?
Sugar averaged $0.35 per lb in 1987, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.35 of 1987 sugar worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.35 in 1987 is about $1.03 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1987 price of sugar compare to now?
Sugar now averages $1.03 per lb, up 195% from the 1987 average of $0.35.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Sugar price in 1987 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/sugar/1987/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000715211. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/sugar/1987/">Sugar price in 1987 (U.S. average) — Basket Report</a> (data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000715211; retrieved June 26, 2026) Basket Report. (2026). Sugar price in 1987 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/sugar/1987/