WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — The Consumer Price Index for baked foods and cereal products rose 0.5% in March, its fifth consecutive month of gains, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The index for all food at home also rose, increasing 0.2%.

Of the 18 items followed by Milling & Baking News, a sister publication of World Grain, 12 posted month-over-month gains and 6 finished lower.

The March index for Cereals and Bakery Products before seasonal adjustment was 277.3% of the 1982-84 average, up 1.8% from a year ago. For all food at home, the March index was 242.6, up 1.4% from March 2018.

The CPI for cereals and cereal products in March was 230.3, up 1.5% from February and up 1.9% from March 2018. The index for products within this category included: flour and prepared mixes, 237.7, up 0.8% from February but down 0.4% from the previous year; breakfast cereal, 224.2, up 1.2% from the previous month and up 1.8% from a year ago; and rice, pasta and corn meal, 241.4, up 2.2% from February and up 2.6% from March 2018.

The price index for bakery products in March was 304.2, down 0.1% from February but up 1.7% from March 2018.

The March index for bread was 183.1, down 0.1% from February but up 1.7% from March 2018. Under this heading, the CPI for white bread was 330, down 0.6% from February but up 1.5% from March 2018. For bread other than white, the index was 359.6, up 0.8% from February and up 3.3% from a year ago.

The price index for fresh biscuits, rolls and muffins in March was 182.2, up 0.4% from February and up 2% from March 2018. The March index for cakes, cupcakes and cookies was 290, down 0.6% from February but up 0.8% from March 2018. Under this segment, other price indexes included fresh cakes and cupcakes, 317.9, up 1% from February and up 3% from March 2018; and cookies, 268.7, down 1.8% from the previous month and down 0.7% from the previous year.

The CPI for other bakery products in March was 269.3, up 0.2% from February and up 2.3% from March 2018. Under this heading, other price indexes in March included: fresh sweet rolls, coffee cakes and donuts, 311.2, up 0.6% from February and up 4% from March 2018; crackers and cracker products, 303.6, down 0.9% from February but up 1.1% from March 2018; and frozen and refrigerated bakery products, pies, tarts and turnovers, 271.1, up 0.8% from February and up 2.3% from the previous year.