According to the latest CPI report, the overall food price index declined by 0.1% in October. This is the first decrease in 2018.
The price of food away from home slipped by 0.2% last month. Three of the six grocery store food group indexes fell. The most dramatic change was seen with fruit prices, which decreased by 1.8%. Nonalcoholic beverages was the only index to increase, while meat, poultry, fish, and eggs and other food from home remained steady.
- Meat, poultry, fish, and eggs: No change
- Cereals and bakery products: – 0.6%
- Dairy and related products: – 0.4%
- Fruits and vegetables: – 0.7%
- Nonalcoholic beverages: + 0.2%
- Other food from home: No change
On the flip side, food away from home saw yet another small increase in October, this time by 0.1%. Small yet consistent upticks in this category have led to a total price increase of 2.5% over the past 12 months.