How much did sugar cost in 1989?
Sugar averaged $0.40 per lb in 1989 — about $1.08 in 2026 dollars.
12 monthly observations · Source: BLS series APU0000715211.
In 1989, sugar averaged $0.40 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 $0.39 in January to $0.41 in October. Over the year it rose from $0.39 in January to $0.41 in December, a 4.4% increase.
Adjusted for inflation, $0.40 in 1989 is worth about $1.08 in 2026 dollars. Today sugar averages $1.03 per lb, so in real terms it is 4% cheaper than it was in 1989. In plain (unadjusted) dollars the price is up 159% versus the 1989 average.
1989 monthly prices
| Month | Price | MoM |
|---|---|---|
| January | $0.39 | ▲ 1.3% |
| February | $0.39 | ▲ 0.8% |
| March | $0.40 | ▲ 1.8% |
| April | $0.40 | — |
| May | $0.40 | — |
| June | $0.40 | ▼ 0.3% |
| July | $0.40 | ▲ 1.0% |
| August | $0.40 | ▲ 0.3% |
| September | $0.41 | ▲ 0.5% |
| October | $0.41 | ▲ 0.5% |
| November | $0.40 | ▼ 0.7% |
| December | $0.41 | ▲ 0.5% |
| 1989 average | $0.40 |
FAQ
What was the average price of sugar in 1989?
Sugar averaged $0.40 per lb in 1989, based on 12 months of BLS average price data.
How much is $0.40 of 1989 sugar worth today?
Adjusted for inflation with the CPI-U, $0.40 in 1989 is about $1.08 in 2026 dollars.
How does the 1989 price of sugar compare to now?
Sugar now averages $1.03 per lb, up 159% from the 1989 average of $0.40.
Cite this
Basket Report. "Sugar price in 1989 (U.S. average)." Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. Retrieved June 26, 2026 from https://basketreport.com/prices/sugar/1989/. Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, series APU0000715211. <a href="https://basketreport.com/prices/sugar/1989/">Sugar price in 1989 (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 1989 (U.S. average) [Data set]. Basket Report — Grocery Price Index. https://basketreport.com/prices/sugar/1989/