Holiday Baking Essentials Cost Consumers Less This Year

(WASHINGTON, DC) Though the average annual price of wheat has increased in 2018, the cost of holiday baking essentials this year has decreased. According to the Economic Research Service (ERS), a basket with a dozen eggs, a one-pound tub of margarine, a five-pound bag of flour, four-pound bag of sugar, and a gallon of whole milk, will cost six percent less than last year. This decrease is driven by lower prices in four of the five categories. The largest savings are found in flour, sugar, and milk. Flour and sugar prices to the consumer are nine percent lower each, and whole milk prices are almost eight percent lower. Egg prices, on the other hand, have increased nearly eight percent over the past year.