Regional supermarket giant’s 47% market share in major cities allows premium pricing, while climate and supply factors compound consumer burden across the Sunshine State
Fla. News Network —If you’ve walked out of a Florida grocery store lately feeling like your wallet took a hit, you’re not alone. Food prices in Florida continue to soar, leaving families across the state questioning why groceries have become such a heavy burden on their household budgets. Government data shows a troubling trend: in Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, shoppers are digging deeper into their wallets than ever before, with costs surging past national averages. While climate disruptions and labor pressures partly explain the escalation, many economists argue Florida’s unique grocery landscape—dominated by Publix Super Markets—has amplified the pain for consumers.
The Federal Trade Commission’s 2024 report on grocery supply chains noted that dominant firms used pandemic-era disruptions to boost profits, often at the expense of consumers.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), food prices in the southern region—where Florida is a major contributor—have risen steadily each year since the COVID-19 pandemic, with categories like eggs, beef, and fresh produce seeing double-digit hikes since 2019. For Floridians, that means a basket of groceries often costs far more than the same goods in states with stronger retail competition. When a single company controls so much of the market, what incentive does it have to cut costs for the customer? This isn’t just an observation; it’s a reality that directly contributes to the elevated cost of food for millions of Floridians.…