How much do fruits and vegetables cost? ERS estimated average prices for 153 commonly consumed fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. Reported estimates include each product's average retail price per pound and per edible cup equivalent (the unit of measurement for Federal fruit and vegetable consumption recommendations). For many fruits and vegetables, a 1-cup equivalent equals the weight of enough edible food to fill a measuring cup. ERS calculated average prices at retail stores using 2008 Nielsen Homescan data. Retail quantities were further adjusted for the removal of inedible parts and cooking loss.

ERS also estimated the effect on households' food budgets and children's caloric intakes of replacing one energy-dense snack with a fruit or vegetable. The price per portion was estimated for 20 snack items commonly consumed by children ages 6-13, including salty snacks, baked and sweet goods, and frozen treats. ERS also identified and priced 20 fruits and vegetables that are potential replacements for these snack foods. Using data from Nielsen's 2010 Homescan panel, ERS estimated average retail prices, following the same methodology for estimating retail prices and per cup equivalents for 153 fruits and vegetables. For this comparison, however, a price "per portion" is estimated, to approximate the actual cost of consuming each food based on current consumption patterns. 

• Fruit
• Vegetables
• Snack Substitutions

Data Set
Fruit			Back to top
Apples—Average retail price per pound or pint and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Apricots—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Bananas—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Blackberries—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Blueberries—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Cantaloupe—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Cherries—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Cranberries—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Dates—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Figs—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Grapefruit—Average retail price per pound or pint and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Grapes—Average retail price per pound or pint and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Honeydew—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Kiwi—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Mangoes—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Nectarines—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Oranges—Average retail price per pound or pint and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Papaya—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Peaches—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Pears—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Pineapple—Average retail price per pound or pint and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Plums—Average retail price per pound or pint and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Raspberries—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Strawberries—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Tangerines—Average retail price per pound or pint and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Watermelon—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Vegetables			Back to top
Artichoke—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Asparagus—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Avocados—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Beets—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Black beans—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Broccoli—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Brussels sprouts—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Cabbage—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Carrots—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Cauliflower—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Celery—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Collard greens— Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Sweet corn—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Great northern beans—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Green beans—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Green peas—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Green peppers—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Kale—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Lentils—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Iceberg lettuce—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Romaine lettuce—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Lima beans—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Mushrooms—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Mustard greens—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Navy beans—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Okra—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Olives—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Onions—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Pinto beans—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Potatoes—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Pumpkin—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Radish—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Red kidney beans—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Red peppers—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Spinach—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Summer squash—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Sweet potatoes—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Tomatoes—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Turnip greens—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Winter squash—Average retail price per pound and per cup equivalent, 2008		2/7/2011
Snack Substitutions			Back to top
Snacks—Portion size, price/portion, and calories/portion for 20 fruits and vegetables and 20 snack foods		11/28/2012
Snacks—Average retail price and cost per portion for calorie-dense snack foods		11/28/2012
Snacks—Average retail price and cost per portion for fruits and vegetables		11/28/2012
Snacks—Impact on food costs of substituting fruits and vegetables for other snack foods		11/28/2012
Snacks—Impact on caloric intake of substituting fruits and vegetables for other snack foods		11/28/2012

Last updated: Wednesday, November 28, 2012

For more information contact: Hayden Stewart and Elizabeth Frazao