CPI: Food prices up in April

The Consumer Price Index for food rose 0.5% in April after being unchanged in March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Tuesday.

The food-at-home index increased 0.7% over the month. Five of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in April. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs increased 1.3% over the month as the index for beef rose 2.7%. The fruits and vegetables index increased 1.8% in April, and the nonalcoholic beverages index rose 1.1%. The index for dairy and related products increased 0.8% over the month, and the index for cereals and bakery products rose 0.1% in April.

In contrast, the index for other food at home fell 0.4% in April after being unchanged in March.

The food-away-from-home index rose 0.2% in April. The index for food at home rose 2.9% over the 12 months ending in April.

FMI-The Food Industry Association Vice President of Tax, Trade, Sustainability and Policy Development Andy Harig said, “The CPI numbers released today show a significant jump in food-at-home inflation. This was expected given global events, but nonetheless poses new challenges for shoppers. Staples like beef, poultry, fish and eggs rose 1.3%, fruits and vegetables increased 1.7%, and dairy products are up 0.8%.”

Harig continued, “Food production is energy-intensive, from the field to the shelf to the table. Recent instability and uncertainty in global energy markets are contributing to rising production costs across the food supply chain. Today’s numbers reflect the reality that these dynamics are putting substantial cost pressures on the supply chain and therefore grocery prices.

“These numbers are understandably frustrating for American families and grocers alike. The food industry is doing everything we can to keep prices in check and support shoppers amid continued market uncertainties as they seek to get the most value out of their grocery dollar.”