Food inflation still running hot, government reports
The government’s latest inflation report shows higher food prices continue to hound consumers, with grocery food prices in September up 13% compared with a year ago.
The price index for restaurant/foodservice meals rose 8.5% through September compared with a year ago, according to report. Prices for full-service restaurant meals have climbed 8.8% over the past 12 months, while the inflation rate for limited- service meals is 7.1% higher compared with a year ago.
The report said the yearly inflation rate for all consumer categories was 8.2% in September, before seasonal adjustment. September’s numbers were down slightly from the 8.3% all-items inflation rate in August.
Food prices still moving up
The report said the overall food index increased 0.8% in September, the same increase as August.
The grocery food index rose 0.7% in September as all six major grocery store food group indexes increased. The index for fruits and vegetables rose 1.6% in September, while the index for cereals and bakery products rose 0.9% over the month. The index for other food at home increased 0.5% in September, after rising 1.1% in August. The index for meats, poultry, fish and eggs rose 0.4% over the month while the index for nonalcoholic beverages increased 0.6% in September. The dairy and related products index rose 0.3% in September, the same increase as the previous month.
September retail price inflation for fresh produce items, compared with a year ago:
- Fresh fruits: up 8.2%
- Apples: up 6%
- Bananas: up 7.3%
- Citrus fruits: up 10.2%
- Oranges and tangerines: up 14.9%
- Fresh vegetables: up 9.2%
- Potatoes: up 17.5%
- Lettuce: up 15.7%
- Tomatoes: down 1%.
