Spend enough time with someone who has been around for a while and the subject of how much cheaper things used to be will come up quickly. Penny candy used to cost one penny, and things at the five-and-dime used to cost five and ten cents.
Don’t forget about inflation, which can make it look like things were cheaper in the past. In 1950, for example, a dollar was worth $10. 63 in todays money, and in 1980, it was worth $3. 10. That said, its fascinating to see just how far $1 was once able to take you. Heres what food a dollar could buy from 1937 until 2000.
We looked at two great sources to find out how far a dollar could go in the grocery store and at restaurants back in the day: the New York Public Library’s huge collection of menus from all over the country and the Morris County Library’s exact records of prices for common foods and drinks.
Canned tuna has long been a pantry staple But have you ever wondered how its price has changed over the decades? Let’s take a look back at the cost of tuna in 1960 and how the tuna industry has evolved since then
The Affordable Staple: Tuna Prices in the 1960s
In 1960, shoppers could purchase a 5-ounce can of tuna for just $0.25 – quite a bargain at the time! Adjusted for inflation, that same can of tuna would cost about $2.40 today.
Tuna was an affordable and versatile protein source that could be easily incorporated into casseroles, sandwiches, salads and more Brands like Starkist, Chicken of the Sea and Bumble Bee dominated grocery store shelves.
Starkist held the biggest market share, cementing tuna’s status as an American kitchen staple. Chicken of the Sea positioned itself as the discount brand, while Bumble Bee fell somewhere in between.
How the Tuna Industry Looked in the Mid-20th Century
In the early to mid-1900s, the tuna industry looked quite different than it does today:
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Numerous small to mid-size companies competed in the market, rather than a few large corporations.
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Most tuna canning was done domestically rather than overseas. Plants were located mainly on the West Coast of the U.S.
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Tuna fishing and processing was not as heavily regulated, leading to overfishing and lack of oversight on labor practices and sustainability.
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Retail tuna prices were driven by the cost of labor, materials and transportation rather than today’s additional costs related to sustainability and traceability.
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Tuna was plentiful due to fewer competitors for marine resources. Catches were increasing annually.
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Consumer demand for canned tuna exploded post WWII along with growth of suburban families.
How the Cost of Tuna Has Changed Since 1960
While tuna only cost 25 cents a can in 1960, today the average national price for a 5-ounce can ranges from $1 to $3.
When taking inflation into account, tuna today costs approximately the same or slightly less than it did 60 years ago. However, the size of the can has shrunk by about an ounce compared to 1960.
There are a few key reasons tuna is no longer the bargain basement protein it once was:
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Labor Costs: In 1960, much tuna was canned domestically by American workers. Today, nearly all canned tuna sold in the U.S. is processed overseas where labor is cheaper. However, even overseas costs have risen.
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Sustainability: Consumer demand for sustainably caught tuna has led to investments in better fishing practices. This gets passed on as higher prices.
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Commodities: Input costs for things like metal for cans have increased for tuna manufacturers.
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Consolidation: With fewer companies dominating the market, there is less price competition.
The Tuna aisle Today: Changes in the Industry
Today the tuna aisle looks quite different with brands highlighting health claims like high protein, low mercury, omega-3s and sustainability. The industry itself has also transformed:
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Consolidation: Just a few major players like Starkist and Chicken of the Sea now control most market share.
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Globalization: To reduce costs, tuna canned for U.S. sales is now processed mostly in countries like Thailand, Ecuador and Mexico.
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Sustainability: Consumer awareness has led to initiatives like dolphin-safe fishing. However, tuna stocks still face threats from overfishing.
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Mercury: Due to pollution, mercury levels have increased in tunas like albacore and yellowfin. Brands now sell lower-mercury options like skipjack.
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New Products: Brands are introducing tuna in pouches, snacks, pre-seasoned and premium offerings to drive growth as volume sales of canned tuna decline.
The Future of Canned Tuna
While tuna prices are likely to continue rising moderately due to inflation and production costs, canned tuna is still one of the most affordable protein options. Brands will focus on convenience, new flavors and sustainable sourcing to appeal to millennials and Gen Z.
To keep tuna affordable and ensure future supply, companies need to continue investing in healthy, well-managed fish stocks. Consumers also have a role to play by supporting brands and products that demonstrate ethical, sustainable practices that consider the health of our oceans and workers.
The days of 25 cent canned tuna may be over, but it remains a versatile, affordable protein source that will continue satisfying American appetites for years to come.
1996: 6 cans of soda
In 1996, six 12-ounce cans of Coca-Cola were being sold for 99 cents. Back then, there was also Diet Coke. Before you open a can, you might want to read these facts about diet soda.
1986: A can of tuna
In 1986, a can of StarKist white tuna would have set you back a dollar. Youd need a little more than that to make a comforting casserole.
Commercial Starkist Tuna 1960’s
FAQ
What were the prices of common items in the 1960s?
How much did steak cost in 1960?
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WHOLESALE PRICE
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RETAIL PRICE
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YEAR
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BEEF
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BEEF
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———cents per lb. on a wholesale weight basis——-
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———-cents per lb. on a retail weight basis———
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1960
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59.6
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82.1
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1965
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57.3
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82.0
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When did canned tuna come out?
How much did a watermelon cost in 1960?
How many cans of tuna did Americans buy last year?
Americans bought 1.5 billion cans of tuna last year, according to AC Nielsen data. Fish company spokeswomen said the most recent downsizing was due to rising prices for tuna, first canned in 1903, and competition, although it is unclear which company cut the can first in the most recent episode.
When did canned tuna become popular?
By 1954, after two world wars and exceptional technological/population growth, the U.S. was the world’s largest producer and consumer of canned tuna. Though things have changed drastically for the tuna industry over the years, there is no denying that it still serves as a great American seafood institution.
What happened to canned tuna in the 1920s?
Canned tuna sales boomed throughout the 1920s. By the 1930s, the coast off California was depleted of its albacore tuna, so fishermen had go out several hundred miles offshore, and to coastal areas south, to Mexico and beyond. Other tuna folks, such as the Van Camp Seafood Company, decided to go after yellowfin tuna instead of albacore.
What are the economic origins of canned tuna?
The economic origins of canned tuna share the ups and downs of modern economics. It’s actually thanks to another once popular fish that canned tuna exists.