WASHINGTON — The Consumer Price Index for baked foods and cereal products rose 1.2% in May after rising 0.2% in April and 0.5% in March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The index for all food at home also finished higher, rising 0.5% after gaining 0.4% in April and 1% in March.
Of the 18 items tracked by Milling & Baking News, 15 posted month-over-month gains, while 3 finished lower.

The May index for Cereals and Bakery Products before seasonal adjustment was 259.1% of the 1982-84 average, up 3% from a year ago. For all food at home, the May index was 225.4, up 4.3% from May 2010.

The C.P.I. for cereals and cereal products in May was 226, up 1.6% from April and up 3.4% from May 2010. The index for products within this category included: flour and prepared mixes, 240.2, up 4% from April and up 6.7% from the previous year; breakfast cereal, 223.5, up 1.4% from the previous month and up 2.7% from a year ago; and rice, pasta and corn meal, 230.2, up 0.9% from April and up 3.3% from May 2010.

The price index for bakery products in May was 276.8, up 1.1% from April and up 2.9% from May 2010.

The May index for bread was 168.5, up 1.1% from April and up 5.1% from May 2010. Under this heading, the C.P.I. for white bread was 306, up 1.7% from April and up 5.1% from May 2010. For bread other than white, the index was 326.6, up 0.4% from April and up 5.9% from a year ago.

The price index for fresh biscuits, rolls and muffins in May was 162.3, up 0.4% from April and up 5.9% from May 2010. The May index for cakes, cupcakes and cookies was 250.4, down 0.8% from April and down 0.6% from May 2010. Under this segment, other price indexes included fresh cakes and cupcakes, 260.4, down 0.3% from April but up 1.5% from May 2010; and cookies, 239.6, down 1.7% from the previous month and down 2.8% from the previous year.

The C.P.I. for other bakery products in May was 255.8, up 2.9% from April and up 2.2% from May 2010. Under this heading, other price indexes in May included: fresh sweet rolls, coffee cakes and donuts, 262.7, up 2% from April and up 2.6% from May 2010; crackers and cracker products, 300, up 3.6% from April and up 3.7% from May 2010; and frozen and refrigerated bakery products, pies, tarts and turnovers, 264.5, up 3.1% from April and up 1.7% from the previous year.