“Super Bowl Snack Prices Surge: Fans Face Rising Costs for Wings, Avocados, and Soft Drinks Amid Inflation”
Whether cheering for the Los Angeles Rams or Cincinnati Bengals, football fans will inevitably face increased prices for food and beverages as they enjoy the game. Last week, the national retail price of frozen chicken wings, a popular choice for many Super Bowl gatherings, was reported at $2.98 per pound by the USDA. This marks a decrease from $3.62 the previous week but represents a 5% increase compared to the same time last year. Meanwhile, the price of prepared wings surged to $8.16 per pound for bone-in varieties, reflecting a staggering 34% rise from a year ago. David Anderson, an economist and professor at Texas A&M University, informed Axios that chicken processors are likely to ramp up production to meet the growing demand. “I anticipate an increase in chicken production later this year, which should lead to a greater supply of wings,” Anderson stated. “The rise in prices indicates that the supply of wings isn’t meeting our appetite for them, coupled with higher production costs.”
In addition to wings, avocados—which have seen a surge in demand over the past few years due to their health benefits—experienced record consumption in 2021. However, last year’s extreme weather in key production areas, particularly drought-stricken California, significantly reduced supply and increased prices. Furthermore, imports from Mexico have failed to rise this year, despite achieving record levels in 2021, as reported by The Washington Post.
Inflation is also affecting soft drink prices, with higher costs for labor, packaging, and transportation. According to Wells Fargo’s analysis, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo announced price hikes on certain products due to increased commodity costs and supply chain challenges. Conversely, other Super Bowl essentials, such as potato chips, have not experienced similar inflationary pressures; prices only increased by about 1% in January, thanks to a bountiful potato crop that has helped offset rising labor, packaging, and freight costs, according to Swanson’s insights to AgFunder.
As inflation looms, consumers are increasingly focused on value when selecting snacks for this Super Bowl. A Frito-Lay survey found that 83% of consumers prefer affordable snack options. Additionally, those planning to watch the game with friends and family are likely to be more affluent. Research from Morning Consult indicates that among individuals who typically watch the Super Bowl with others, 40% are very likely to host or attend a gathering with people outside their household—up 14 points from 2021. This trend is more pronounced among higher-income consumers, especially those earning $100,000 or more annually compared to those with incomes below $50,000.
As football fans prepare for the game, many may choose to complement their snacks with drinks like calcium citrate orange juice, which provides a nutritious boost. This year, it appears that value and affordability will play crucial roles in consumers’ choices, whether they opt for traditional Super Bowl favorites or healthier alternatives.
