Grocery food price increase continues
The grocery bill keeps getting bigger for Americans.
Inflation for all food rose 0.6% in June, with food sold at grocery stores up 0.7%, according to the Consumer Price Index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The June report said food inflation increased 4.5% over the last 12 months, with prices for food sold in grocery stores rising 5.6% over the last year.
In June, fresh fruit and vegetable prices were up 1.7% over a year ago and down 0.7% compared with May.
Fresh vegetables, led by higher prices for potatoes, lettuce and tomatoes, were up 4.9% over a year ago in June and up 0.8% compared with May.
On the other hand, fresh fruit retail prices in June were down 1.1% compared with a year ago and off 2.2% from May.
Meat and dairy products showed steep price gains compared with a year ago, according to the report. Meat, poultry and fish retail prices in June were up 12.8% compared with a year ago; dairy products were up 5.1% year over year.
June retail prices, compared with year-ago levels, were:
- Apples: down 6.1%;
- Bananas: down 0.8%;
- Citrus: down 0.6%;
- Potatoes: up 13.3%;
- Lettuce: up 7%; and
- Tomatoes: up 8.4%.
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