Wholesale food price drops are forecast for several categories in 2018, but the biggest decreases are expected for fresh fruits and vegetables, according to a white paper from Argentum.

“Fruit prices are expected to decline in the 6.5 percent-to-7.5 percent range, while fresh vegetable prices are projected to fall between 7 percent and 8 percent,” the authors note. They cite trend data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Senior living organizations may see a 2% to 3% decrease in wholesale beef and veal prices as well as decreases in prices for dairy, wheat flour, fats and oils, according to the white paper.

Increases are expected in the cost of pork, poultry and eggs this year, according to the authors, who also share predictions for retail food costs.

If wholesale beef and veal prices do decline for the year, it would be for the third consecutive year, according to the report. Higher egg prices would mark the end of two consecutive years of decline.

Food, labor and utilities are the three biggest areas of expense in senior living, the authors note.

Although electricity prices will vary by region, increases are expected to be the highest in the Pacific region of the country, where a projected 4.2% increase will be more than three times the expected 1.2% national average. That’s according to U.S. Department of Energy data used by the report authors.

Electricity prices are projected to decline by 3.3% in the West South Central region and by 3.2% in New England, according to the white paper.

The paper is available for download on the Argentum website.