The University of Cincinnati’s Alpaugh Family Economics Center has been tracking grocery prices in the tri-state area with Local 12 since August 2025, as reported on May 13. Recent data show that factors such as fuel prices are raising costs and lowering the availability of various grocery items, including meats, seafood, and produce.
This issue is important for consumers who have seen higher prices and fewer options at local stores. The changes in cost affect everyday purchases for families throughout the region.
Gary Painter, economics expert and academic director of real estate at Lindner College of Business, said that seasonal shifts play a role in what products are available. “Typically, in the winter months, we are going to import things like bell peppers from warm-weather places,” Painter told Local 12. “We’re in kind of the in-between, where those growing seasons are done.”
Painter also said that when stores transition from imported goods to locally grown produce it can make keeping stock difficult. This challenge is especially pronounced when fuel costs rise.
The University’s partnership with Local 12 aims to provide ongoing updates about price trends affecting local shoppers.
As these conditions continue to impact supply chains and store shelves, experts say consumers may see continued fluctuations until growing seasons stabilize or transportation costs decrease.