Trader Joe’s is known for its exceptionally great prices on all kinds of food, from produce to frozen meals to sweet treats. One of its best deals is on their bananas, which have historically sold for 19 cents each. Now, the grocery chain is raising the price, reportedly to 23 cents each, and customers are furious. Keep reading for more details.
Trader Joe's Raises The Price Of Bananas
Trader Joe's is one of the unique stores that prices bananas individually, rather than per pound. Former Trader Joe's chairman and CEO Dan Bane once told the story behind why that is on an episode of Inside Trader Joe's podcast. It happened after he witnessed a customer sorting through the bunches of bananas but decide against buying any. When asked why, the customer responded, "Sonny, I may not live to that fourth banana."
"And so we decided the next day we were going to sell individual bananas," Bane said. "And they've been 19 cents ever since."
That is, until now. After one customer posted the news on Reddit, questioning how much the price will be raised by, other customers confirmed that their stores had already upped the price on bananas to 23 cents each. While an extra 4 cents may not seem like much, it is a 21% increase, which is a bit shocking of a statistic.
the economy is in shambles (trader joe’s 19¢ bananas are now 23¢ each!!!!!)
— drew (@drewbcker) March 22, 2024
Trader Joe's Customers Are Furious Over Banana Price Increase
Customers have taken to X, formerly Twitter, to share their outrage at this price hike. "The economy is in shambles (Trader Joe's 19¢ bananas are now 23¢ each!!!!!)" one user joked.
"Bananas jumped from 19 cents each to 23 cents today at my local Trader Joe's in CA," another user reported. "A manager said it was the first price hike for them in 10 years."
"The apocalypse is upon us. trader joe’s has raised the price on their bananas for the first time in the history of the store," another added.
"Trader Joe’s bananas went from 19 cents to 23 cents," one person posted. "This is not good."
"As a family that goes through 18 bananas/week, this will add $37.44/yr to our personal inflation calculation," a final customer said. "Yes, you read that correctly. Such is a life with a toddler breakfast smoothie lover."
