Price index for baked foods, cereal continues increase

The Consumer Price Index for baked foods and cereal products in May rose 1.7% from April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The gain follows a 1.5% improvement in April. It is the fourth consecutive month in which the index has advanced more than 1%.

The May index for Cereals and Bakery Products before seasonal adjustment was 244.2% of the 1982-84 average, up 9.5% from a year ago. For all food at home, the May index was 211.9, up 0.5% from April and up 5.5% from May 2007.

The C.P.I. for Cereals and Cereal Products in May was 212.8, up 2.2% from April and up 8.6% from May 2007. The index for products within this category included: flour and prepared mixes, 231.1, up 2.9% from April and up 17.3% from the previous year; breakfast cereal, 211.4, up 1.3% from the previous month and up 3.2% from a year ago; and rice, pasta and corn meal, 213.1, up 3.2% from April and up 14.5% from May 2007.

The price index for Bakery Products in May was 260.9, up 1.5% from April and up 10% from May 2007.

The May index for bread was 161.4, up 1.9% from April and up 13.8% from May 2007. Under this heading, the C.P.I. for white bread was 294.6, up 1.1% from April and up 13.5% from May 2007. For bread other than white, the index was 308.6, up 2.8% from April and up 13.9% from a year ago.

The price index for fresh biscuits, rolls and muffins in May was 150.3 up 0.3% from April and up 9.9% from May 2007. The May index for cakes, cupcakes and cookies was 237.9, up 1.4% from April and up 7.9% from May 2007. Under this segment, other price indexes included fresh cakes and cupcakes, 243, up 0.5% from April and up 8.4% from May 2007; and cookies, 232.7, up 2.2% from the previous month and up 7% from the previous year.

The C.P.I. for other bakery products in May was 237.7, up 1.6% from April and up 7.7% from May 2007. Under this heading, other price indexes in May included: fresh sweet rolls, coffee cakes and donuts, 240.7, down 0.8% from April but up 5.9% from May 2007; crackers and cracker products, 277.3, up 3.8% from April and up 8.9% from May 2007; and frozen and refrigerated bakery products, pies, tarts and turnovers, 244.4, down 0.3% from April but up 7.2% from the previous year.