According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for sugar and sugar substitutes are 164.93% higher in 2026 versus 1988 (a $32.99 difference in value).
Between 1988 and 2026:Sugar and sugar substitutes experienced an average inflation rate of 2.60% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, sugar and sugar substitutes costing $20 in the year 1988 would cost $52.99 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.70% during this same period, inflation for sugar and sugar substitutes was lower.
In the year 1988: Pricing changed by 2.93%, which is above the average yearly change for sugar and sugar substitutes during the 1988-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1988 (4.08%), inflation for sugar and sugar substitutes was lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Sugar and sugar substitutes, over time, for $20 beginning in 1988. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1988 | $20.00 | 2.93% |
| 1989 | $21.56 | 7.78% |
| 1990 | $22.44 | 4.10% |
| 1991 | $22.72 | 1.26% |
| 1992 | $22.81 | 0.38% |
| 1993 | $23.06 | 1.10% |
| 1994 | $23.47 | 1.76% |
| 1995 | $24.03 | 2.38% |
| 1996 | $25.12 | 4.55% |
| 1997 | $25.54 | 1.67% |
| 1998 | $25.69 | 0.57% |
| 1999 | $26.00 | 1.20% |
| 2000 | $25.98 | -0.05% |
| 2001 | $26.57 | 2.29% |
| 2002 | $27.14 | 2.11% |
| 2003 | $27.61 | 1.76% |
| 2004 | $27.83 | 0.78% |
| 2005 | $28.25 | 1.51% |
| 2006 | $31.06 | 9.95% |
| 2007 | $31.65 | 1.91% |
| 2008 | $32.30 | 2.05% |
| 2009 | $33.78 | 4.56% |
| 2010 | $35.55 | 5.25% |
| 2011 | $37.43 | 5.29% |
| 2012 | $38.12 | 1.85% |
| 2013 | $36.04 | -5.46% |
| 2014 | $34.42 | -4.49% |
| 2015 | $35.98 | 4.52% |
| 2016 | $35.68 | -0.83% |
| 2017 | $35.54 | -0.39% |
| 2018 | $35.46 | -0.24% |
| 2019 | $35.65 | 0.55% |
| 2020 | $38.11 | 6.90% |
| 2021 | $39.68 | 4.11% |
| 2022 | $44.16 | 11.30% |
| 2023 | $48.72 | 10.32% |
| 2024 | $50.95 | 4.58% |
| 2025 | $52.12 | 2.29% |
| 2026 | $52.99 | 1.67%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Sugar and sugar substitutes:
| Year | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 59.600 | 65.483 | 68.825 | 107.325 | 106.858 | 97.108 | 100.608 | 102.283 | 101.758 | 101.817 | 102.558 | 105.558 | 113.775 | 118.442 | 119.933 | 120.392 | 121.717 | 123.858 | 126.808 | 132.583 | 134.800 | 135.575 | 137.200 | 137.125 | 140.258 | 143.217 | 145.742 | 146.883 | 149.100 | 163.933 | 167.072 | 170.491 | 178.269 | 187.621 | 197.554 | 201.211 | 190.218 | 181.686 | 189.906 | 188.325 | 187.596 | 187.142 | 188.177 | 201.155 | 209.418 | 233.076 | 257.123 | 268.904 | 275.065 | 279.656 |