WASHINGTON — The Consumer Price Index for baked foods and cereal products fell 0.2% in June, ending three consecutive month of gains, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor. The index for all food at home also decreased, falling 0.2%.
Of the 18 items followed by Milling & Baking News, 13 posted month-over-month declines and only 5 finished higher.
The June index for Cereals and Bakery Products before seasonal adjustment was 270.9% of the 1982-84 average, down 0.3% from a year ago. For all food at home, the June index was 239.1, up 2.3% from June 2013.
The C.P.I. for cereals and cereal products in June was 233.9, up 0.1% from May but down 0.4% from June 2013. The index for products within this category included: flour and prepared mixes, 254.2, up 0.9% from May but down 1.4% from the previous year; breakfast cereal, 229.9, up 0.8% from the previous month and up 0.1% from a year ago; and rice, pasta and corn meal, 237.8, down 1.2% from May and down 1.1% from June 2013.
The price index for bakery products in June was 291.6, down 0.3% from May and down 0.2% from June 2013.
The June index for bread was 175.4, down 0.2% from May and down 1.4% from June 2013. Under this heading, the C.P.I. for white bread was 316.2, down 0.6% from May and down 2.8% from June 2013. For bread other than white, the index was 341.5, up 0.1% from May but down 0.1% from a year ago.
The price index for fresh biscuits, rolls and muffins in June was 168.7, down 1.1% from May and down 1.6% from June 2013. The June index for cakes, cupcakes and cookies was 272.9, down 0.1% from May but up 1.4% from June 2013. Under this segment, other price indexes included fresh cakes and cupcakes, 285.4, down 0.1% from May but up 1.8% from June 2013; and cookies, 262.3, down 0.5% from the previous month but up 1.3% from the previous year.
The C.P.I. for other bakery products in June was 266.5, down 0.3% from May but up 0.5% from June 2013. Under this heading, other price indexes in June included: fresh sweet rolls, coffee cakes and donuts, 290.0, up 0.1% from May but down 1.2% from June 2013; crackers and cracker products, 308.8, down 0.9% from May but up 2.9% from June 2013; and frozen and refrigerated bakery products, pies, tarts and turnovers, 270.9, down 0.9% from May and down 0.9% from the previous year.