SUSHI: A CRASH COURSE ON INFLATION

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What will a tuna roll set you back these days?

We’re talking sushi-grade tuna, with rice, seaweed, and vegetables.

How much will that run you — and how much more is it going to cost today versus a couple of years ago?

That could depend on where you live.

Still, these days, it’s almost impossible not to pay more for pretty much everything, including a standard tuna roll.

Any of us can find that frustrating, especially when it feels like the price hikes just keep coming.

But that doesn’t make them unfair or mean they’re purely fueled by greed.

Many are tied to world events and factors beyond anyone’s control.

Of course, that’s not what you see when you’re footing the bills for higher-priced tuna rolls.

But those higher costs (and an understanding of inflation) can be easier to digest when we take them in one ingredient at a time.

Let’s see what that looks like in an ingredient breakdown of today’s costs of a tuna roll, compared to the costs in 2021.*

*All costs are estimates or averages at the time they were collected. They are intended to demonstrate the concept of price fluctuations and the multifaceted nature of inflation, not to provide definitive pricing for any specific period or location. The key takeaway is the overall trend and the various factors influencing price changes, rather than the exact numbers themselves.

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6 TUNA ROLL INGREDIENTS & WHAT THEY REVEAL ABOUT THE FORCES BEHIND INFLATION

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INGREDIENT #1

SUSHI RICE
(SHORT-GRAIN RICE)

2024 Price:

$4.30/lb.¹

2021 Price:

$2.75/lb.²

~56%

% Change

Why the Price Hike?

Prices for short-grain rice have largely been affected by droughts, rising fertilizer costs, and supply chain disruptions.³

INGREDIENT #2

NORI SEAWEED SHEETS

2024 Price:

$0.27/sheet⁴

2021 Price:

$0.18/sheet⁵

50%

% Change

Why the Price Hike?

Rising demand for seaweed snacks, supply chain disruptions, and a shift to sustainable farming have contributed to driving up seaweed prices.^3,6

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INGREDIENT #3

YELLOWFIN TUNA

2024 Price:

$35.36/lb.⁷

2021 Price:

$34.28/lb.⁸

~3%

% Change

Why the Price Hike?

Fishing prohibitions in some areas have meant smaller yields and higher prices for sushi-grade tuna.⁹

INGREDIENT #4

AVOCADO

High 2024 Price:

~$1.26/lb¹⁰

Average 2021 Price:

~$1.13/lb¹⁰

~12%

% Change

Why the Price Hike?

Droughts and weather have partially driven up avocado prices in recent years.¹¹ So has interference by Mexican cartels that have created “war zones” around avocado orchards and import inspections at U.S. borders.¹²

INGREDIENT #5

CUCUMBER

High 2024 Price:

~$2.16/lb.¹³

High 2021 Price:

~$0.68/lb.¹⁴

~217%

% Change

Why the Price Hike?

Weather has largely been to blame for rising cucumber costs, especially with major droughts and rainstorms upsetting cucumber production in the U.S. and abroad. That’s led to a persisting shortage of cucumbers and, in turn, much higher prices.¹⁵

INGREDIENT #6

SOY SAUCE

2024 Price:

$0.43/oz.¹⁶

Average 2021 Price:

$0.32/oz.¹⁷

~34%

% Change

Why the Price Hike?

Soy sauce prices have risen due to growing global demand for Asian cuisine and health-conscious consumers seeking plant-based options for condiments. Supply chain disruptions and raw material price volatility have further impacted costs.¹⁸

COMPLEX FACTORS BEHIND THE SCENES CAN BE PULLING MORE STRINGS THAN WE REALIZE. WHILE INFLATION CAN BE CHALLENGING, IT'S JUST ONE FACTOR IN YOUR OVERALL FINANCIAL PICTURE.

FINANCIAL LESSON:

HOW TO LOOK PAST THE STICKER SHOCK & NAVIGATE INFLATION WITH GREATER CONFIDENCE

You don't have to be a sushi connoisseur to see what's fueling inflation here.

Complex factors behind the scenes can pull more strings than we realize, affecting not just our favorite foods but our entire financial landscape.

That’s probably why it’s more expensive than ever to dine out and to eat in these days.¹⁹

And at the risk of stating the obvious, it’s also why food isn’t the only place where inflation’s driving prices sky high.¹⁹

Electricity, fuel, and health care costs have also spiked since 2021.¹⁹

That’s partly due to some of the same factors behind the rising food costs. Weather, supply chain issues, and harvest failures can have far-reaching impacts well beyond food alone.

Of course, some wild card factors can be at play too, like international conflict and the politics of imports and exports.

While inflation can be challenging, it's just one factor in your overall financial picture. By staying informed, maintaining a balanced financial strategy, and seeking professional guidance when needed, you can be better prepared to adapt to economic changes and work towards your long-term financial goals, regardless of inflationary pressures.

Sincerely,

Kevin Murray

Murray Financial Services

https://murrayfinancialservices.com

(530)896-5484

P.S. Sign up for my emails. My subscribers get my best insights.

Kevin Murray

Murray Financial Services

(530)896-5484

EMAIL ME

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Not receiving our newsletter?

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Kevin Murray

Murray Financial Services

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https://murrayfinancialservices.com

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kmurray@murrayfinancialservices.com

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(530)896-5484

Sources

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SUSHI: A CRASH COURSE ON INFLATION

VISUAL INSIGHTS NEWSLETTER

6 TUNA ROLL INGREDIENTS & WHAT THEY REVEAL ABOUT THE FORCES BEHIND INFLATION

SUSHI RICE(SHORT-GRAIN RICE)

NORI SEAWEED SHEETS

YELLOWFIN TUNA

AVOCADO

CUCUMBER

SOY SAUCE

COMPLEX FACTORS BEHIND THE SCENES CAN BE PULLING MORE STRINGS THAN WE REALIZE. WHILE INFLATION CAN BE CHALLENGING, IT'S JUST ONE FACTOR IN YOUR OVERALL FINANCIAL PICTURE.

FINANCIAL LESSON:

HOW TO LOOK PAST THE STICKER SHOCK & NAVIGATE INFLATION WITH GREATER CONFIDENCE

VISUAL INSIGHTS NEWSLETTER

BECOME AN INSIDER

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SUSHI RICE
(SHORT-GRAIN RICE)