USA records drop in CPI for baked foods, cereal products

USA – The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for baked foods and cereal products in the USA fell 0.2% in January, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the US Department of Labor.

The index for all food at home, meanwhile, increased 0.8%. The January index for Cereals and Bakery Products before seasonal adjustment was 356% of the 1982-84 average. For all food at home, the January index was 310.9.

Andy Harig, vice president of tax, trade, sustainability and policy development at FMI, The Food Industry Association, attributed the increase in CPIs in various food items to rising inflation, supply chain challenges, the impact of wildfires out West, cold weather in the Midwest, and the ongoing avian flu outbreak. 

She also mentioned that stakeholders are keeping an eye on whether and how potential tariffs may affect the price of food and household goods going forward.

The CPI for Cereals and Cereal Products in January was 282.3, down 2% from December and down 0.6% from January 2024.

The index for products within the category included: flour and prepared mixes, 324.2, up 3.1% from December and up 0.8% from a year ago; breakfast cereal, 271, down 3.3% from the previous month and down 0.3% from January 2024.

Rice, pasta and corn meal CPI was 289.4, down 1.6% from December and down 0.4% from January 2024.The price index for Bakery Products in January was 399, up 0.6% from December and up 0.8% from January 2024.

The January index for bread was 238.7, down 0.7% from December and down 0.7% from a year ago. The CPI for white bread was 433, down 0.4% from December and down 1.3% from January 2024. For bread other than white, the index was 464.2, down 0.9% from December and down 0.2% from a year ago.

The price index for fresh biscuits, rolls and muffins in January was 241.2, up 1.9% from December and up 2.3% from January 2024. The January index for cakes, cupcakes and cookies was 375.5, up 0.3% from December and up 1.4% from January 2024.

Within the segment, other price indexes included fresh cakes and cupcakes, 385.5, down 2.6% from December and down 0.7% from a year ago; and cookies, 359.5, up 2% from the previous month and up 3.1% from the previous year.

The CPI for other bakery products in January was 354.9, up 0.9% from December and up 0.5% from January 2024.

Within this category, CPIs included: fresh sweet rolls, coffee cakes and donuts, 405.8, down 0.5% from December but up 3.5% from a year ago; crackers and cracker products, 428.9, up 1.2% from December and up 0.8% from January 2024; and frozen and refrigerated bakery products, pies, tarts and turnovers, 345.4, up 2.2% from December and up 0.6% from a year ago.

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