Soaring egg prices drive increase in U.S. consumer price index for baked foods, cereals
The major rise in egg prices has been attributed to the avian influenza outbreak.
US – The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for baked foods and cereal products in the U.S. rose by 0.5% in February, while the overall index for food at home increased by 0.1%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Andy Harig, vice president of tax, trade, sustainability, and policy development at the Food Industry Association (FMI), stated that the CPI data indicate a positive trend, even though the broader inflation picture remains complex in the long term.
He noted that a significant portion of the monthly increase can be attributed to the ongoing rise in egg prices, largely driven by the avian influenza outbreak.
Harig expressed uncertainty about how tariffs might impact food prices but remained hopeful that the food industry would adapt to best serve its customers.
Before seasonal adjustment, the February index for Cereals and Bakery Products was 357.6% of the 1982-84 average. For all food at home, the index stood at 311.3.
In February, the CPI for Cereals and Cereal Products reached 285.6, which is a 1.2% increase from January but a 0.5% decrease from February 2024.
The subcategories within this index included: Flour and prepared mixes: 324.2 (unchanged from January but up 1.1% from a year ago), Breakfast cereals: 276.6 (up 2.1% from the previous month but down 0.2% from February 2024), Rice, pasta, and corn meal: 291.1 (up 0.6% from December, down 0.5% from February 2024).
The price index for Bakery Products in February was 399.7, up 0.2% from January and up 0.6% from February 2024.
The February index for bread was 239.7, showing a 0.4% increase from January and a 0.2% increase from a year ago. Within this category, the CPI for white bread was 432.6 (down 0.1% from January and down 0.2% from February 2024), while the index for breads other than white was 469.6 (up 1.2% from January and up 0.6% from the previous year).
The price index for fresh biscuits, rolls, and muffins in February was 242.1, which is a 0.4% increase from January and a 3.4% increase from February 2024.
The February index for cakes, cupcakes, and cookies was 373.7, down 0.5% from January and down 0.8% from February 2024.
Within this segment, other price indexes include: Fresh cakes and cupcakes: 388.2 (up 0.7% from January but down 1% from a year ago) and Cookies: 350.9 (down 2.4% from the previous month and down 1.5% from the prior year).
The CPI for other bakery products in February was 356.4, which reflects a 0.4% increase from January and a 0.4% increase from February 2024.
Additional prices included: Fresh sweet rolls, coffee cakes, and donuts: 404.1 (down 0.4% from January but up 5.1% from February 2024), Crackers and cracker products: 425.9 (down 0.7% from January and down 0.9% from February 2024) and Frozen and refrigerated bakery products, pies, tarts, and turnovers: 351.2 (up 1.7% from January and up 0.2% from a year ago).
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