Navel Orange Prices: What BLS Data Shows and How to Pay Less

By WhyPayAlot Editors · Published October 28, 2026 · Sources linked below

Navel oranges are a staple in American produce aisles, but shoppers trying to manage food budgets often wonder whether prices are breaking records or finally settling down. Fresh monthly figures from the federal government offer an unvarnished look at where citrus prices stand and how household shoppers can avoid overpaying at checkout.

Myth 1: Navel Orange Prices Are at All-Time Highs

With general grocery inflation lingering on household budgets, it is easy to assume that citrus costs have reached new records. However, the data tells a different story. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics average price data, navel oranges averaged $1.72 per pound in September 2026.

While that figure climbed slightly from August 2026—showing a month-over-month increase of +0.8% from $1.71—it is actually lower than the rates paid at the same time last year. In September 2025, navel oranges averaged $1.80 per pound, meaning prices in September 2026 were down -4.4% year over year. The peak monthly price across the entire data window spanning January 2016 through September 2026 was $1.80 (raw value 1.805) in October 2024. Compared to that historical peak, the September 2026 price represents a drop of -4.5%.

Myth 2: Citrus Costs Stay the Same Throughout the Year

Another common assumption is that produce costs remain relatively flat from season to season. In reality, navel orange prices experience clear annual swings. During 2026, retail averages dipped significantly in the winter and spring before rising toward the late summer and autumn:

• January 2026: $1.54 per pound
• February 2026: $1.51 per pound
• March 2026: $1.48 per pound
• April 2026: $1.50 per pound
• May 2026: $1.54 per pound
• June 2026: $1.54 per pound
• August 2026: $1.71 per pound
• September 2026: $1.72 per pound

No value was published for July 2026. A comparable seasonal run occurred in 2025, when prices moved from $1.56 in May 2025 and $1.63 in June 2025 up to $1.79 in August 2025 and $1.80 in September 2025, before dropping back down to $1.57 by December 2025. Shoppers who stock up during seasonal price troughs can trim their spending substantially.

Myth 3: Prices Have Reverted to Pre-Pandemic Baselines

While prices have eased from the peak recorded in late 2024, they remain substantially higher than what shoppers paid prior to 2020. In January 2020, before widespread economic disruption, the average price for navel oranges stood at $1.24 per pound. That means the September 2026 price of $1.72 is +38.5% higher than the pre-pandemic level in January 2020.

Looking at annual averages published by the BLS Consumer Price Index program highlights how pricing plateaus have shifted upward over the past decade:

• 2016: $1.25 (with the data window low of $1.15 in May 2016)
• 2017: $1.34
• 2018: $1.41
• 2019: $1.37
• 2020: $1.24 (calculated over 6 published months)
• 2021: $1.36 (calculated over 9 published months)
• 2022: $1.57 (calculated over 11 published months)
• 2023: $1.58
• 2024: $1.62
• 2025: $1.60 (calculated over 9 published months)
• 2026: $1.57 (calculated over 8 published months through September)

Key Price Benchmarks from the BLS Dataset

The table below outlines key historical price points and calculated percentage changes from the official federal series.

Practical Ways to Spend Less on Navel Oranges

Even when broader market prices rise, everyday shoppers can take concrete steps to avoid overpaying in the produce section:

• Calculate the unit rate: Grocery stores frequently sell navel oranges individually and in bulk mesh bags. Rather than guessing which package is the better deal, check the price per pound printed on the shelf label. Comparing per-pound rates is the simplest way to find true savings, as outlined in our guide to unit pricing grocery math.
• Align purchases with seasonal dips: Because monthly averages typically drop into the $1.48 to $1.54 range during the late winter and spring months, planning larger purchases during those windows helps maximize value. Monitoring routine fluctuations is key, and our strategy on tracking price drops details how to time supermarket stock-ups.
• Watch for weekly grocery circular sales: When stores promote seasonal citrus arrivals, promotional prices often undercut national city averages. Reviewing weekly circulars allows you to spot short-term sale pricing before supplies tighten in late summer.

Sources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Average Price Data (Series APU0000711311, Navel Oranges per lb.)
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: CPI Average Price Data Factsheet

Published October 28, 2026. No affiliate links on this page. Facts come from the sources linked above; check them for updates.