Openai/69584fff-5434-8005-b1f9-b257db097644

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User: I noticed that canned corn and green beans went from 50 cents a can to 76 cents a can at Winco and just checked it's th…

I noticed that canned corn and green beans went from 50 cents a can to 76 cents a can at Winco and just checked it's the exact same price increase at Walmart. Is this a seasonal thing or inflation?

Assistant: It’s very unlikely that the jump you noticed from about $0.50 to $0.76 per can at both WinCo and Walmart is just a seas…

It’s very unlikely that the jump you noticed (from about $0.50 to $0.76 per can) at both WinCo and Walmart is just a seasonal fluctuation — and much more likely to be tied to broader inflationary and cost-pressure trends in the food supply chain. Here’s why:

✅ 1. General Food Inflation is Still Elevated

Overall food prices in the U.S. have been trending higher compared with a few years ago. Factors like higher production costs, supply chain disruptions, and overall inflation have pushed grocery prices up across many categories (including canned goods). NerdWallet

Even though inflation has moderated from 2022-2023 peaks, food inflation remains above pre-pandemic norms, so price jumps like the one you saw are still common.

✅ 2. Canned Vegetables Specifically Have Seen Price Increases

Data show that canned fruits and vegetables have risen noticeably in price over the past year. For example:

• Average consumer prices for canned fruits and vegetables rose by about 5% over a year — nearly double the broader food inflation rate. The Atlantic

Retailers adjust shelf prices in response to such cost increases, which is consistent with what you’re seeing at multiple chains.

✅ 3. Packaging Cost Pressures (Tariffs & Metal Costs)

One key contributor to rising canned vegetable prices isn’t the kernels or beans — it’s the can itself:

• Costs for steel and aluminum, the materials used for canning, have increased due to tariffs and supply/demand issues. When these input costs rise, manufacturers often pass them on to retailers and, eventually, consumers. The Real Economy Blog
• Industry observers have noted expectations of double-digit canned food price increases continuing into 2025 and 2026 because of these factors. LinkedIn

This isn’t a seasonal fad — it’s a structural cost pressure.

❓ 4. Seasonality Can Affect Farm-Level Vegetable Prices, But Not Usually Canned Goods

Fresh produce prices can fluctuate seasonally (weather, harvest cycles, etc.), but canned goods are processed year-round. They’re often made from vegetables harvested at peak season and stored, so their shelf prices don’t swing with the fresh market’s seasonal cycles the way fresh corn or green beans might. Economic Research Service

That means it’s unlikely that your price increase is due simply to seasonal patterns.

Bottom Line

The increase you observed — from about $0.50 to $0.76 per can — is most consistent with broader inflationary pressures, especially rising input costs (like metal for cans) and general grocery price inflation. It’s not just “seasonal” price variation.

If prices continue to climb or stick at these higher levels over the next few months, that would further confirm it’s tied to structural cost inflation rather than a temporary seasonal effect.

If you want, I can dig up recent specific price index data for canned vegetables or check whether prices have continued going up in 2026. Just let me know!