Grocery Price Relief: April 2025 Brings Mixed News for Portland Shoppers

Portland shoppers have something to celebrate this spring as grocery prices showed signs of cooling in April, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What the Data Shows

The BLS report for the West Region — which includes Oregon along with 12 other western states including Washington, California and Idaho — reveals a modest decrease in grocery prices last month.

Grocery prices fell by 0.2% in April, providing some welcome relief for household budgets across Oregon and the West. This drop comes while overall inflation in the West Region rose by 0.5%, highlighting that food at home (grocery purchases) is one area where consumers are seeing improvement. Meanwhile, restaurant prices (food away from home) continued to climb, rising by 0.6% in April. 

Breaking it Down By Category

The April decline in grocery prices wasn't universal across all categories. Here's what Portland shoppers likely noticed in different sections of the grocery store:

Price Decreases:

• Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs: down 1.6% (the largest drop among categories)

• Cereals and bakery products: down 0.3%

• Dairy and related products: down 0.3%

• Fruits and vegetables: down 0.1%

Price Increases:

• Nonalcoholic beverages: up 0.9%

• Other food at home (including condiments, snacks, etc.): up 0.4%

Egg Prices Fall*

One of the most dramatic price shifts came in egg prices, which dropped 12.7% in April. According to BLS data, the average price of a dozen Grade A eggs fell from $6.23 in March to $5.12 in April, offering relief to shoppers who've faced volatile egg prices in recent years. Despite this monthly drop, egg prices remain 78.8% higher than a year ago.

*Interestingly, the Portland Egg Price Tracker shows Stumptown Savings readers reported an average price of $7.25 per dozen eggs in April. I know I spend far more than the national average on a dozen eggs, but I’m picky.

The Bigger Picture

Despite the positive monthly news, Portland shoppers should keep in mind that grocery prices remain significantly higher than a year ago. Overall food prices are up 3.6% compared to April 2024 prices, with grocery prices up 3% year-over-year. 

Looking at specific grocery categories over the past year:

• Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs: up 7.6%

• Nonalcoholic beverages: up 3.7%

• Other food at home: up 2.6%

• Cereals and bakery products: up 1.6%

• Dairy products: up 0.5%

• Fruits and vegetables: up 0.4%

Restaurant prices have increased even faster, rising by 4.4% in the past 12 months.

What This Means for Portland Shoppers

For Portland households, the April data offers a hopeful sign that grocery inflation may be moderating after several years of significant price hikes. However, the 3.0% annual increase in grocery prices still outpaces the overall inflation rate — for all categories — of 2.1% for the West Region.

Despite a dip in April, protein prices remain substantially higher than last year — suggesting while shoppers may see some relief at the meat counter, they're still paying considerably more than they did in early 2024.

Looking Ahead

Will this grocery price relief continue? Economic analysts remain cautiously optimistic, but note that food prices can be volatile due to factors ranging from weather conditions to transportation costs. There’s also the tariffs to worry about.

For Portlanders looking to maximize their grocery dollars, the categories showing price decreases (particularly meat and dairy) may offer the best opportunities for savings in the coming weeks.

At Stumptown Savings, I'll continue to monitor these trends closely and provide updates on the best ways to stretch your food budget throughout Oregon.

Have you noticed changes in your grocery bills recently? Share your experiences in the comments below, or reach out with your best savings tips. And don’t forget to log the egg prices you’re seeing in the Portland Egg Price Tracker. It only takes 30 seconds.

Level Up Your Portland Grocery Game

Become a Stumptown Savers Club member and gain exclusive access to insider store guides, seasonal produce tips, and in-depth strategies that help you shop smarter and eat better — all while supporting local. It’s just $5 a month to join — less than the price of a dozen eggs!

Think of it as your secret recipe for outsmarting high prices at every market run. Hungry for more deals and local insights? Join the Savers Club today and start transforming the way you shop in Portland.

Happy saving!