The Price History of Campbell's Tomato Soup

[Peter1469]

A fun way to measure inflation- using condensed Campbell's tomato. Why, because it is the same product today that it was in 1898.

The Price History of Campbell's Tomato Soup

Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup is one of America's most iconic consumer products. First introduced to American consumers by Campbell Soup (NYSE: CPB) in 1898 after having been formulated by John Dorrance the year before, it now ranks as the company's second-most popular soup, selling 85 million cans each year.


That's quite an achievement for a 126 year old product. Campbell Soup sells 440 million cans of soup each year, so its sales of tomato soup represent over 19% of its sales. Only the company's Chicken Noodle soup, introduced in 1934, outsells it with annual sales of more than 250 million cans.


Political Calculations has tracked the price history of Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup over the past 126 years because of its remarkable consistency as an identifiable product over time. In fact, if you had a time machine and could travel to nearly any point in time from January 1898 to the present, you could likely find a 10.75 ounce size (Number 1) can of Campbell's condensed tomato soup stocked for sale in American grocery stores.


That long-running consistency makes Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup an ideal product to follow to understand how inflation has affected American consumers through its history. Today, we're updating our chart visualizing that history from January 1898 through January 2023.



In January 2023, we find the prevailing average sale price for this food product over the past 12 months is $1.23 per can. That figure has risen by over 29% from the trailing 12 month average of $0.95 per can we recorded in January 2022.

[countryboy]

A fun way to measure inflation- using condensed Campbell's tomato. Why, because it is the same product today that it was in 1898.

The Price History of Campbell's Tomato Soup

Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup is one of America's most iconic consumer products. First introduced to American consumers by Campbell Soup (NYSE: CPB) in 1898 after having been formulated by John Dorrance the year before, it now ranks as the company's second-most popular soup, selling 85 million cans each year.


That's quite an achievement for a 126 year old product. Campbell Soup sells 440 million cans of soup each year, so its sales of tomato soup represent over 19% of its sales. Only the company's Chicken Noodle soup, introduced in 1934, outsells it with annual sales of more than 250 million cans.


Political Calculations has tracked the price history of Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup over the past 126 years because of its remarkable consistency as an identifiable product over time. In fact, if you had a time machine and could travel to nearly any point in time from January 1898 to the present, you could likely find a 10.75 ounce size (Number 1) can of Campbell's condensed tomato soup stocked for sale in American grocery stores.


That long-running consistency makes Campbell's Condensed Tomato Soup an ideal product to follow to understand how inflation has affected American consumers through its history. Today, we're updating our chart visualizing that history from January 1898 through January 2023.



In January 2023, we find the prevailing average sale price for this food product over the past 12 months is $1.23 per can. That figure has risen by over 29% from the trailing 12 month average of $0.95 per can we recorded in January 2022.

Wow, that's interesting. I'd like to see a graph overlaid with the soup chart that represents the national debt, and another line that represents deficit spending. I'm guessing they would closely mirror the soup with a little lag between debt and deficit, and the soup/inflation.

I personally never cared for condensed tomato soup, though I love tomatoes.

[Peter1469]

Wow, that's interesting. I'd like to see a graph overlaid with the soup chart that represents the national debt, and another line that represents deficit spending. I'm guessing they would closely mirror the soup with a little lag between debt and deficit, and the soup/inflation.

I personally never cared for condensed tomato soup, though I love tomatoes.

My mom used it. I liked it. Now Campbells has its Well Yes line, which is much better quality, imo. I like the sipping soup size. That with a 4oz chicken breast on roll (and the fixings) gives you a perfect lunch.

[countryboy]

My mom used it. I liked it. Now Campbells has its Well Yes line, which is much better quality, imo. I like the sipping soup size. That with a 4oz chicken breast on roll (and the fixings) gives you a perfect lunch.

My mom used it too. I don't hate it, it's just not my preference. Mom would serve it with grilled cheese, not too awful bad, lol.

I like the Campbell's healthy selections I think it's called, chicken gumbo. It's got a pop top and it's easy to throw one in my lunch box and heat it up with my bucket heater at work. Cheap hot lunch. Reduced sodium. Plus I get more work done if I don't leave the job site for lunch.

[zelmo1234]

Still use it with Grilled cheese. walk down memory lane.

[jigglepete]

Well, at least the cost of going to a diner, ordering a cup of hot water, and squeezing a few catsup packets into it is still free (homeless pro-tip).

But yes, Campbell's tomato soup with a grilled cheese is one of my favorite cold weather comfort foods.

[RMNIXON]

The current online Walmart Price is $1.14, at the local Vons $1. 49!

[LWW]

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[stephenpe]

When I was a kid candy bars (full size ones) were a nickel. I could put a dime in a machine and get a 12 oz soda. Coke sprite etc.
Tomato soup? not my fav but my brother loved it. I make my daughter a grilled cheese and tomato soup and she just uses the soup to dip in...........