WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — The U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for baked foods and cereal products rose 0.1% in May, its third consecutive month of such gains, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The index for all food at home also increased, climbing 0.6%.

Of the 18 items followed by World Grain’s sister publication, Milling & Baking News, 11 posted month-over-month gains and 7 finished lower.

The May index for Cereals and Bakery Products before seasonal adjustment was 271.4% of the 1982-84 average, up 0.1% from a year ago. For all food at home, the May index was 239.5, up 2.6% from May 2013.

The CPI for cereals and cereal products in May was 233.6, up 0.5% from April but down 0.2% from May 2013. The index for products within this category included: flour and prepared mixes, 251.8, up 0.7% from April but down 2.8% from the previous year; breakfast cereal, 228.1, down 0.1% from the previous month and unchanged from a year ago; and rice, pasta and corn meal, 240.7, up 1.4% from April but down 0.3% from May 2013.

The price index for bakery products in May was 292.6, down 0.1% from April but up 0.4% from May 2013.

The May index for bread was 175.7, down 1.2% from April and down 1.2% from May 2013. Under this heading, the CPI for white bread was 318.2, down 1.7% from April and down 1.3% from May 2013. For bread other than white, the index was 341.3, down 0.8% from April and down 1.4% from a year ago.

The price index for fresh biscuits, rolls and muffins in May was 170.5, up 0.1% from April but down 0.4% from May 2013. The May index for cakes, cupcakes and cookies was 273.3, up 0.3% from April and up 2.2% from May 2013. Under this segment, other price indexes included fresh cakes and cupcakes, 285.7, up 1.1% from April and up 2.2% from May 2013; and cookies, 263.7, down 0.3% from the previous month but up 2.4% from the previous year.

The CPI for other bakery products in May was 267.3, up 0.7% from April and up 0.9% from May 2013. Under this heading, other price indexes in May included: fresh sweet rolls, coffee cakes and donuts, 289.7, down 0.9% from April and down 0.4% from May 2013; crackers and cracker products, 311.5, up 2.2% from April and up 3.4% from May 2013; and frozen and refrigerated bakery products, pies, tarts and turnovers, 273.3, up 0.7% from April but down 0.3% from the previous year.