Inflation pushes higher in December
Though retail prices for fresh produce were down compared with a year ago, the inflation rate for all consumer prices ticked higher in December, the Department of Commerce reports.
Over the last 12 months, the all-items index increased 3.4% before seasonal adjustment, according to the report.
That 3.4% year-over-year rise in December was up from the 3.1% all-items inflation number in November.
The report said the cost index for shelter continued to rise in December, contributing over half of the monthly all-items increase. The energy index rose 0.4% from November to December, as increases in the electricity index and the gasoline index more than offset a decrease in the natural gas index.
The food index increased 0.2% in December, as it did in November. The index for food at home (groceries) increased 0.1% over the month, and the index for food away from home (restaurant) rose 0.3%.
Four of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased over the month. The index for meats, poultry, fish and eggs rose 0.5% in December, led by an 8.9% increase in the index for eggs. The index for dairy and related products rose 0.3% in December. The cereals and bakery products index declined 0.3% over the month, with the breakfast cereal index declining 2.4%, the largest decrease in that index since January 2007.
The index for fruits and vegetables (fresh and processed) decreased 0.1% in December, the report said.
The restaurant index rose 0.3% in December, after rising 0.4% in November. The index for full-service meals rose 0.3%, and the index for limited-service meals increased 0.4% over the month.
Annual inflation
The consumer inflation report said the grocery food index rose 1.3% over the last 12 months, however, retail prices for fresh produce were down 0.5% compared with a year ago.
Here are the price changes for produce items reported by the Commerce Department:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables — down 0.5%.
- Fresh fruits — up 3.6%.
- Apples — down 5.9%.
- Bananas — up 1%.
- Citrus — up 5.4%.
- Oranges — up 5.3%.
- Fresh vegetables: — down 4.8%.
- Potatoes — down 2.8%.
- Lettuce — down 16.7%.
- Tomatoes — down 7.2%
