According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for sugar and sugar substitutes are 135.20% higher in 2026 versus 1989 (a $27.04 difference in value).
Between 1989 and 2026:Sugar and sugar substitutes experienced an average inflation rate of 2.34% per year. This rate of change indicates significant inflation. In other words, sugar and sugar substitutes costing $20 in the year 1989 would cost $47.04 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.63% during this same period, inflation for sugar and sugar substitutes was lower.
In the year 1989: Pricing changed by 7.78%, which is significantly above the average yearly change for sugar and sugar substitutes during the 1989-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1989 (4.83%), inflation for sugar and sugar substitutes was higher.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Sugar and sugar substitutes, over time, for $20 beginning in 1989. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | $20.00 | 7.78% |
| 1990 | $20.82 | 4.10% |
| 1991 | $21.08 | 1.26% |
| 1992 | $21.16 | 0.38% |
| 1993 | $21.40 | 1.10% |
| 1994 | $21.77 | 1.76% |
| 1995 | $22.29 | 2.38% |
| 1996 | $23.31 | 4.55% |
| 1997 | $23.70 | 1.67% |
| 1998 | $23.83 | 0.57% |
| 1999 | $24.12 | 1.20% |
| 2000 | $24.10 | -0.05% |
| 2001 | $24.66 | 2.29% |
| 2002 | $25.18 | 2.11% |
| 2003 | $25.62 | 1.76% |
| 2004 | $25.82 | 0.78% |
| 2005 | $26.21 | 1.51% |
| 2006 | $28.82 | 9.95% |
| 2007 | $29.37 | 1.91% |
| 2008 | $29.97 | 2.05% |
| 2009 | $31.34 | 4.56% |
| 2010 | $32.98 | 5.25% |
| 2011 | $34.73 | 5.29% |
| 2012 | $35.37 | 1.85% |
| 2013 | $33.44 | -5.46% |
| 2014 | $31.94 | -4.49% |
| 2015 | $33.38 | 4.52% |
| 2016 | $33.10 | -0.83% |
| 2017 | $32.98 | -0.39% |
| 2018 | $32.90 | -0.24% |
| 2019 | $33.08 | 0.55% |
| 2020 | $35.36 | 6.90% |
| 2021 | $36.81 | 4.11% |
| 2022 | $40.97 | 11.30% |
| 2023 | $45.20 | 10.32% |
| 2024 | $47.27 | 4.58% |
| 2025 | $48.47 | 2.55% |
| 2026 | $47.04 | -2.96%* |
* 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 | 275.753 | 267.602 |