When is flour cheapest?

The best time to buy flour, from 20 years of U.S. government shelf prices.

A small season

Flour is cheapest in November, but the season is small.

Over 2006–2025, November ran a typical 4% below trend and August 2.4% above, and November was below trend in 18 of 18 years. Worth knowing if you buy a lot of flour or can stock up; otherwise a store sale beats the calendar.

November is the start of holiday baking, when stores put baking staples on sale.

Flour: price by month

Typical price each month compared with that year’s trend, 2006–2025. The bar is the median year; the thin line spans the middle half of years.

−6%−5%−4%−3%−2%−1%trend+1%+2%+3%+4%+5%+6%JanJanuary: typically 0.6% above trend (half of years between −0.9% and +1.2%; 19 years)FebFebruary: typically 0.6% above trend (half of years between −0.4% and +1.2%; 19 years)MarMarch: typically 0.1% above trend (half of years between −0.9% and +2.3%; 19 years)AprApril: typically 0.6% below trend (half of years between −1.7% and +1.6%; 18 years)MayMay: typically 1% above trend (half of years between +0.2% and +1.9%; 18 years)JunJune: typically 1.3% above trend (half of years between +0.3% and +2.2%; 18 years)JulJuly: typically 1.6% above trend (half of years between +0.3% and +2.9%; 18 years)Aug+2.4%August: typically 2.4% above trend (half of years between +1.3% and +2.9%; 18 years)SepSeptember: typically 2.1% above trend (half of years between +0.7% and +2.4%; 18 years)OctOctober: typically 0.7% below trend (half of years between −1.7% and +0.9%; 17 years)Nov−4%November: typically 4% below trend (half of years between −4% and −2.4%; 18 years)DecDecember: typically 3% below trend (half of years between −5% and −2.8%; 18 years)
cheaper than the year’s trend dearer middle half of years
See the numbers as a table
MonthTypical vs trendMiddle half of yearsYears
January+0.6%−0.9% to +1.2%19
February+0.6%−0.4% to +1.2%19
March+0.1%−0.9% to +2.3%19
April−0.6%−1.7% to +1.6%18
May+1%+0.2% to +1.9%18
June+1.3%+0.3% to +2.2%18
July+1.6%+0.3% to +2.9%18
August+2.4%+1.3% to +2.9%18
September+2.1%+0.7% to +2.4%18
October−0.7%−1.7% to +0.9%17
November−4%−4% to −2.4%18
December−3%−5% to −2.8%18

What that means at today’s prices

The U.S. average price of flour (per pound) was 54¢ in October 2026. At today’s price level, the typical November price is about 52¢ and the typical August price about 55¢.

Every year, its cheapest month

Each row is one year; the dot is the month flour was cheapest relative to that year’s trend. November was the single cheapest month in 5 of 17 years, and the month next to it in 9 more.

20242024: cheapest in December20232023: cheapest in December20222022: cheapest in May20212021: cheapest in June20182018: cheapest in November20172017: cheapest in December20162016: cheapest in December20152015: cheapest in November20142014: cheapest in October20132013: cheapest in March20122012: cheapest in November20112011: cheapest in December20102010: cheapest in December20092009: cheapest in November20082008: cheapest in November20072007: cheapest in October20062006: cheapest in DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
See it as a table
YearCheapest month
2024December
2023December
2022May
2021June
2018November
2017December
2016December
2015November
2014October
2013March
2012November
2011December
2010December
2009November
2008November
2007October
2006December

More from the calendar

What else is cheap in November: what’s cheap in November. Pantry: sugar (Dec), coffee (Dec), rice (Feb), pasta (Oct), bread (Jan), potato chips (Feb), cookies (Mar). All 39 foods: the grocery price calendar.

Questions

What month is flour cheapest?

November. Over 2006–2025 the U.S. average price of flour in November was typically 4% below that year's trend, and below it in 18 of 18 years. August is the dearest month (2.4% above).

What is the most expensive month for flour?

August, typically 2.4% above the year's trend price.

How much is flour right now?

The U.S. average was 54¢ a pound in October 2026 (BLS Average Price Data).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Average Price Data (U.S. city average, not seasonally adjusted), the shelf prices BLS collects every month for the Consumer Price Index, through October 2026. Seasonal pattern and every number on this page computed by Online List Maker; how.

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