WASHINGTON — The Consumer Price Index for baked foods and cereal products increased 0.2% in March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the US Department of Labor. The index for all food at home also increased, moving up 0.5%.

Of the 18 items followed by Milling & Baking News, 12 posted month-over-month increases and 6 finished lower.

“The CPI numbers released today on food at home demonstrate that grocery prices continue to face headwinds in this uncertain economic environment,” said Andy Harig, vice president of tax, trade, sustainability and policy development at FMI — The Food Industry Association. “While the index for eggs increased, pressures in that category are starting to ease as the avian flu situation has begun to abate and wholesale egg prices have fallen.

 “However, while tariffs announced in March have thus far had limited impact on food prices, the overall situation continues to remain uncertain and bears watching — especially as reciprocal tariffs were put in placed earlier this month and then dialed down for most countries yesterday. This is good news for consumers.”

The March index for Cereals and Bakery Products before seasonal adjustment was 358.5% of the 1982-84 average. For all food at home, the March index was 312.8.

The CPI for Cereals and Cereal Products in March was 288.4, up 0.6% from February and up 0.9% from March 2024. The index for products within this category included: flour and prepared mixes, 329.3, up 1.6% from February and up 2.9% from a year ago; breakfast cereal, 281.1, up 1.6% from the previous month and up 3% from March 2024; and rice, pasta and corn meal, 289.7, down 0.5% from February and down 0.8% from March 2024.

The price index for Bakery Products in March was 399.9, up 0.1% from February and up 1.2% from March 2024.

The March index for bread was 237.2, down 1% from February but up 0.1% from a year ago. Under this heading, the CPI for white bread was 428.8, down 0.9% from February and down 0.6% from March 2024. For bread other than white, the index was 462.1, down 1.6% from February but up 0.7% from a year ago.

The price index for fresh biscuits, rolls and muffins in March was 241, down 0.5% from February but up 2.4% from March 2024. The March index for cakes, cupcakes and cookies was 377, up 0.9% from February and up 1.1% from March 2024. Under this segment, other price indexes included fresh cakes and cupcakes, 394.7, up 1.7% from February and up 0.7% from a year ago; and cookies, 356.8, up 1.7% from the previous month and up 1.5% from the previous year.