Food contributes to elevated September inflation

With rising food prices playing a big role, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 0.4% in September after rising 0.3% in August.

Over the last 12 months, overall inflation is up 5.4%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The indexes for food and shelter rose in September and together contributed more than half of the monthly, all-items seasonally adjusted increase, according to the release. 

Focus on food

The food price index increased 0.9% in September, following a smaller 0.4% increase in August, according to a news release.
The food-at-home index increased 1.2% from August to September as all six major grocery store food group indexes rose, the report said. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 2.2% over the month as the index for beef rose 4.8%.

The index for fruits and vegetables rose 0.6% in September, a larger increase than the 0.2% increase reported in August.

The food away from home index rose 0.5% in September after increasing 0.4% in August, the report said. The price indexes for limited-service meals and for full-service meals both increased 0.6% in September, the report said.

More inflation coming?

Higher input costs could lead to continued inflation, statistics show.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website, the average f.o.b. price for all fresh produce tracked by the USDA was $18.77 per carton in September, up 9% from $17.17 per carton in August and up 1% from September last year.