Food Price Index on Upward Swing: CPI Report

According to the most recent CPI data, food prices rose in January following a small increase in December and a stable November.

Food away from home saw its biggest jump since January 2017, increasing 0.4%. The substantial rise in food away from home prices drove the overall food price index up by 0.2%.

Grocery store food index changes varied. Overall, the food at home price index rose by 0.1%.

• Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs: – 0.2%

• Cereals and bakery products: + 0.3%

• Dairy and related products: no change

• Fruits and vegetables: + 0.5%

• Nonalcoholic beverages: no change

• Other food from home: no change

The latest results bring the total increase for the 12-month food price index to 2.5%. Fruits and vegetable prices increased the most over the last year (3.5%), while prices of dairy and related products and cereals and bakery products declined.