WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for baked foods and cereal products increased 0.8% in October, rebounding from two consecutive month-over-month declines, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The index for all food at home, meanwhile, finished higher, climbing 0.2%.
Of the 18 items followed by Milling & Baking News, World Grain’s sister publication, 15 posted month-over-month increases, while three finished lower.
The October index for Cereals and Bakery Products before seasonal adjustment was 275.8% of the 1982-84 average, up 1.6% from a year ago. For all food at home, the October index was 243.8, up 0.7% from October 2014.
The CPI for cereals and cereal products in October was 234.7, up 1.4% from September and up 0.8% from October 2014. The index for products within this category included: flour and prepared mixes, 241.3, down 2% from September and down 1.9% from the previous year; breakfast cereal, 231.9, up 2.3% from the previous month and up 1.2% from a year ago; and rice, pasta and corn meal, 241.9, up 1.4% from September and up 1.3% from October 2014.
The price index for bakery products in October was 298.9, up 0.5% from September and up 2% from October 2014.
The October index for bread was 179.2, down 0.2% from September but up 2% from October 2014. Under this heading, the CPI for white bread was 324.1, down 0.5% from September but up 1.7% from October 2014. For bread other than white, the index was 346.9, up 0.3% from September and up 2.1% from a year ago.
The price index for fresh biscuits, rolls and muffins in October was 178.5, up 1.3% from September and up 2.5% from October 2014. The October index for cakes, cupcakes and cookies was 282.1, up 1% from September and up 2.7% from October 2014. Under this segment, other price indexes included fresh cakes and cupcakes, 298.4, up 1.3% from September and up 3.9% from October 2014; and cookies, 270, up 0.4% from the previous month and up 1.8% from the previous year.
The CPI for other bakery products in October was 268.2, up 0.4% from September and up 1.2% from October 2014. Under this heading, other price indexes in October included: fresh sweet rolls, coffee cakes and donuts, 296.2, up 0.2% from September and up 2.7% from October 2014; crackers and cracker products, 308.9, up 0.2% from September and up 0.4% from October 2014; and frozen and refrigerated bakery products, pies, tarts and turnovers, 270.1, up 0.7% from September and up 0.6% from the previous year.
