CPI for baked foods, cereal products rises again
The tariffs announced in March have had very little impact on food prices so far.
USA – The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for baked foods and cereal products rose by 0.2% in March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Before seasonal adjustment, the March index for Cereals and Bakery Products was 358.5% of the 1982-84 average. For all food at home, it was 312.8.
“The CPI numbers released today regarding food at home show that grocery prices continue to face challenges in this uncertain economic environment,” said Andy Harig, Vice President of Tax, Trade, Sustainability, and Policy Development at FMI — The Food Industry Association.
Harig added that while the index for eggs has increased, pressures in that category are starting to ease as the avian flu situation begins to improve and wholesale egg prices have begun to fall.
In March, the CPI for Cereals and Cereal Products was 288.4, which is up 0.6% from February and 0.9% from March 2024. Within this category, the prices for various products included:
– Flour and prepared mixes: 329.3 (up 1.6% from February and 2.9% from a year ago)
– Breakfast cereal: 281.1 (up 1.6% from the previous month and 3% from March 2024)
– Rice, pasta, and cornmeal: 289.7 (down 0.5% from February and down 0.8% from March 2024)
The price index for Bakery Products in March was 399.9, which is up 0.1% from February and up 1.2% from March 2024.
The March index for bread was 237.2, down 1% from February but up 0.1% from a year ago. Specifically, the CPI for white bread was 428.8 (down 0.9% from February and down 0.6% from March 2024), while the index for bread other than white was 462.1 (down 1.6% from February but up 0.7% from the previous year).
The price index for fresh biscuits, rolls, and muffins in March was 241 (down 0.5% from February but up 2.4% from March 2024). The March index for cakes, cupcakes, and cookies was 377 (up 0.9% from February and up 1.1% from March 2024). Notable price indexes within this segment included:
– Fresh cakes and cupcakes: 394.7 (up 1.7% from February and up 0.7% from a year ago)
– Cookies: 356.8 (up 1.7% from the previous month and up 1.5% from the prior year)
The CPI for other bakery products in March was 357.2 (up 0.2% from February and up 0.8% from March 2024). This category included the following price indexes in March:
– Fresh sweet rolls, coffee cakes, and donuts: 406.5 (up 0.6% from February and up 5.6% from March 2024)
– Crackers and cracker products: 433.6 (up 1.8% from February and up 0.8% from March 2024)
– Frozen and refrigerated bakery products, pies, tarts, and turnovers: 348.2 (down 0.9% from February but up 0.5% from a year ago)
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