www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/potato-chip-prices-are-soaring-due-to-an-unexpected-factor-it-s-not-sustainable/ar-AA1zktQf?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=1bc9dde124054d24dbb701dc8404422a&ei=14
bag of potato chips now costs nearly 50% more than 10 years ago. Part of the rise in price is due to inflation, but another major cause is our overheating planet, as The Allegheny Front reported.
The cost of these tasty treats has skyrocketed in recent years. Ten years ago, the average price for a 16-ounce bag of chips was $4.27, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. By the end of 2024, it was $6.32.
Inflation has contributed to rising costs, but a warming world is another factor driving the increase. Idaho and Washington are the leading potato-producing states in the country. Idaho, which tops that list, had its third-warmest year on record in 2024, while Washington had its 15th-warmest.
Rising temperatures pose problems in Pennsylvania, which has more potato chip factories than any other state. Last year, Pennsylvania had its warmest year on record. The acreage devoted to chipping potatoes, which are grown for french fries and chips, may still be significant in Pennsylvania but has been declining for several years. Part of the reason is that potatoes are sensitive to rising soil temperatures.
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bag of potato chips now costs nearly 50% more than 10 years ago. Part of the rise in price is due to inflation, but another major cause is our overheating planet, as The Allegheny Front reported.
What's happening?
They are one of the most popular snacks in the United States, and you usually can't eat just one. There are hundreds of flavors of potato chips, from sour cream and barbecue to onion and even cappuccino.The cost of these tasty treats has skyrocketed in recent years. Ten years ago, the average price for a 16-ounce bag of chips was $4.27, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. By the end of 2024, it was $6.32.
Inflation has contributed to rising costs, but a warming world is another factor driving the increase. Idaho and Washington are the leading potato-producing states in the country. Idaho, which tops that list, had its third-warmest year on record in 2024, while Washington had its 15th-warmest.
Rising temperatures pose problems in Pennsylvania, which has more potato chip factories than any other state. Last year, Pennsylvania had its warmest year on record. The acreage devoted to chipping potatoes, which are grown for french fries and chips, may still be significant in Pennsylvania but has been declining for several years. Part of the reason is that potatoes are sensitive to rising soil temperatures.
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