Food inflation still running hot, government reports

(File image)

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%.
     

 

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