8 Foods That May Be Too Expensive to Eat This Summer

Summer is on its way, and if you're anything like us, you're looking forward to backyard barbecues, cool cocktails, and seasonal produce — that is, if you can afford it. The USDA is estimating food costs to increase by 2.5% to 3.5% this year, and that's under normal weather conditions. But we're already seeing droughts in California and the Southwest, and if more severe weather is in store for the warmer months, we might be in for even higher prices.

We took a look at eight foods that may be in for a price hike this summer, and there's good and bad news. You aren't likely to starve, but you may need to seek out some budget-friendly alternatives to your usual fare.

Beef

Threat Level: High

Fire up the grill this summer! Or don't, because beef is fast becoming a luxury item. Drought conditions in the Southwest coupled with increasing global demand for beef has prices up 56% from 2010, and they aren't going down any time soon. This pain won't just be felt at the grill, either: Chipotle is set to raise prices due to beef costs this summer, and other chains are likely to follow.

Alternative: Turkey burgers will be a less expensive – not to mention healthier – option this summer, and Mexican food is much cheaper to make at home.

Limes

Threat level: Medium

Anything that threatens summer cocktails is a cause for concern, and we're in the midst of a serious lime shortage. The crucial ingredient in mojitos and margaritas is currently fetching four times its usual price because of Mexico's heavy rains during the winter months, and weirdly, drug cartel shenanigans. The shortage appears to be temporary, though; the crop's late arrival this summer should set prices back to normal.

Alternative: You likely won't feel the squeeze at the bar, but if you want to make a cocktail at home, just skip the lime-based ones for now. Or use that bottled lime juice that's been in the back of your pantry for five years.

Bananas

Threat Level: Medium for the United States; high for the rest of the world.

Is it time to say goodbye to those morning banana smoothies? Cavendish bananas — the ones at your local supermarket — are dying from Panama disease, a fungus that has cropped up (pun intended) in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Though the U.S. gets the majority of its bananas from Latin America, which hasn't yet been affected, a global shortage of the fruit is slowly driving up prices.

Alternative: Mangos, peaches, pineapple, and kiwi seem to be in the clear for now.

Avocado

Threat Level: Medium for this year; high for next.

California's drought is threatening lots of produce right now, and reports of an Avocadocolypse have been circulating and causing panic among lovers of the buttery fruit. (Yes, it's a fruit.) You may still be able to enjoy guacamole without paying caviar prices this summer, though, as the fruit takes a year to mature and the Golden State is on track to produce 300 million pounds this season.

Alternative: None needed… yet.

Lettuce

Threat Level: Medium

You might want to think twice before declaring this summer the one where you'll finally eat healthy and have a salad every day for lunch. The cost of lettuce is estimated to rise 34% and packaged salads are estimated to go up 13%, which could be felt both at the supermarket and your favorite overpriced DIY salad shop.

Alternative: You didn't really want a salad anyway. Just have a sandwich.

Lobsters

Threat Level: Low

Those summer lobster rolls are already a drain on the wallet, but they may become even more of a splurge in the future. A University of Maine study found that young lobsters off the coast of Maine have declined by more than half since 2007, citing warmer ocean temperatures as a possible cause. This may be a problem for Maine in years to come – they produce 85% of the country's lobster – but for right now, prices will stay at their usual (albeit still exorbitant) rates.

Alternative: None needed.

Coffee

Threat Level: Medium

When Starbucks stops buying coffee, it may be time to worry. Those iced coffees may see a price spike this summer — or at the very least, an unappetizing coffee-to-ice ratio. Drought conditions in Brazil have driven Arabica coffee production down, causing the price to rise 90%. Large companies like Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts lock in prices years in advance, so you might not see an increase there, but your local mom-and-pops or the supermarket might be another story.

Alternative: If you need your caffeine, do what you gotta do – tea, Red Bull, 5-Hour Energy. We don't judge.

Milk

Threat Level: Low

We may all be screaming for ice cream (prices) soon. Due to the drought's effect on cattle, farm milk prices were up 2.9% in March, and wholesale dairy overall rose 1.1%. It remains to be seen if and when this increase gets passed along to the consumer, but it isn't likely to happen over the next few months.

Alternative: None needed.

Whether or not these threats to your summer eating and drinking prove to be real, food prices are increasing across the board. How are you coping, readers? Cooking at home more, or using coupons? Let us know in the comments.