Trader Joe's Customers Are Pissed Over Banana Prices Increasing For The First Time In 20 Years

Danielle Harling
bananas on a shelf
Trader Joe's Just Raised Banana PricesHalle Burns / Getty Images

With inflation continuing to be a problem at the supermarket, customers have found comfort in the handful of items that have remained the same price for years. Bananas have long been at the top of that list of products—that is, until now.

The cost of bananas is beginning to take a hit, and to the shock of many shoppers, Trader Joe's even raised the price of its bananas for the first time in two decades. The bananas, which were previously 19 cents each, are now 23 cents each. It may not sound like much, but that's actually a 21 percent increase.

“We only change our prices when our costs change, and after holding our price for bananas at 19¢ each for more than two decades, we’ve now reached a point where this change is necessary,” a spokesperson for Trader Joe's shared with the Associated Press.

bananas on display for sale
Halle Burns

And surprise, surprise, inflation is once again the culprit for the rising cost of bananas. According to the AP, fertilizer, pesticide, and transportation prices have all increased due to inflation, subsequently causing the cost of farming bananas to increase. Because of these rising costs it was only a matter of time before it trickled down to consumers.

Trader Joe's shoppers are far from pleased at the sudden increase in the price of bananas. A recent TikTok sharing the news is filled with comments like "Goodbye bananas" and "I hate it here."

On X, TJ's fans are equally upset and shocked about the latest price increase.

Regardless of inflation, those banana cakes and banana pudding still need to be made. So if you're looking for affordable banana options, Trader Joe's might still be your best bet. On Target's website, one banana is listed at 29 cents, while Walmart is selling them for 25 cents each. You could also try a big box store like Sam's Club, where according to their website, you can get three pounds of bananas for just $1.47.

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