CPI
 
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — The Consumer Price Index for baked foods and cereal products fell 0.5% in November, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The index for all food at home also decreased 0.5%.

Of the 18 items followed by Milling & Baking News, a sister publication of World Grain, 13 posted month-over-month decreases and 5 finished higher.

The November index for Cereals and Bakery Products before seasonal adjustment was 269.6% of the 1982-84 average, down 0.9% from a year ago. For all food at home, the November index was 238.4, up 0.6% from November 2016.

The CPI for cereals and cereal products in November was 225.3, down 0.7% from October and down 1.3% from November 2016. The index for products within this category included: flour and prepared mixes, 228.5, down 3% from October and down 0.9% from the previous year; breakfast cereal, 223.4, down 0.3% from the previous month and down 1.6% from a year ago; and rice, pasta and corn meal, 232.1, down 0.4% from October and down 1% from November 2016.

The price index for bakery products in November was 295.1, down 0.3% from October and down 0.6% from November 2016.

The November index for bread was 177.9, up 0.5% from October but down 0.5% from November 2016. Under this heading, the CPI for white bread was 320.3, down 0.1% from October and down 1.2% from November 2016. For bread other than white, the index was 347.3, up 1.2% from October and up 0.4% from a year ago.

The price index for fresh biscuits, rolls and muffins in November was 176.5, up 0.2% from October and up 0.5% from November 2016. The November index for cakes, cupcakes and cookies was 282.5, up 0.4% from October but down 0.5% from November 2016. Under this segment, other price indexes included fresh cakes and cupcakes, 306.1, up 1.4% from October and up 0.9% from November 2016; and cookies, 264.8, down 0.8% from the previous month and down 1.8% from the previous year.

The CPI for other bakery products in November was 259.9, down 2% from October and down 1.3% from November 2016. Under this heading, other price indexes in November included: fresh sweet rolls, coffee cakes and donuts, 293.6, down 0.5% from October but up 0.4% from November 2016; crackers and cracker products, 292.1, down 4% from October and down 3% from November 2016; and frozen and refrigerated bakery products, pies, tarts and turnovers, 264.9, down 1.1% from October and down 1.4% from the previous year.