Food Prices Fall for the First Time This Year: October CPI Report

According to the latest CPI report, the overall food price index declined by 0.1%  in October. This is the first decrease in 2018.

The price of food away from home slipped by 0.2% last month. Three of the six grocery store food group indexes fell. The most dramatic change was seen with fruit prices, which decreased by 1.8%. Nonalcoholic beverages was the only index to increase, while meat, poultry, fish, and eggs and other food from home remained steady.

• Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs: No change

• Cereals and bakery products: – 0.6%

• Dairy and related products: – 0.4%

• Fruits and vegetables: – 0.7%

• Nonalcoholic beverages: + 0.2%

• Other food from home: No change

On the flip side, food away from home saw yet another small increase in October, this time by 0.1%. Small yet consistent upticks in this category have led to a total price increase of 2.5% over the past 12 months.