WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S. — The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for baked foods and cereal products rose 0.5% in October after rising 0.4% in September and 0.8% in August, 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 0.2% after gaining 0.6% in September and 0.7% in August.

Of the 18 items followed by Milling & Baking News, 15 posted month-over-month gains, while three finished lower.


The October index for Cereals and Bakery Products before seasonal adjustment was 265.4% of the 1982-84 average, up 5.8% from a year ago. For all food at home, the October index was 230.2, up 5.9% from October 2010.

The CPI for cereals and cereal products in October was 230.2, down 0.3% from September but up 6.3% from October 2010. The index for products within this category included: flour and prepared mixes, 245.8, down 1% from September but up 9.8% from the previous year; breakfast cereal, 223.7, down 1.6% from the previous month but up 4.4% from a year ago; and rice, pasta and corn meal, 241, up 2.1% from September and up 8.1% from October 2010.

The price index for bakery products in October was 284.3, up 0.9% from September and up 5.7% from October 2010.

The October index for bread was 173.3, up 1.4% from September and up 7.8% from October 2010. Under this heading, the CPI for white bread was 315.7, up 2.4% from September and up 7.3% from October 2010. For bread other than white, the index was 336.8, up 0.2% from September and up 9.9% from a year ago.

The price index for fresh biscuits, rolls and muffins in October was 168.3, up 0.8% from September and up 6.8% from October 2010. The October index for cakes, cupcakes and cookies was 261.4, up 1% from September and up 4.1% from October 2010. Under this segment, other price indexes included fresh cakes and cupcakes, 270.8, up 0.1% from September and up 4.9% from October 2010; and cookies, 251.2, up 1.8% from the previous month and up 3.4% from the previous year.

The CPI for other bakery products in October was 257.5, up 0.2% from September and up 4.3% from October 2010. Under this heading, other price indexes in October included: fresh sweet rolls, coffee cakes and donuts, 270.5, up 0.9% from September and up 6.5% from October 2010; crackers and cracker products, 300.3, up 1% from September and up 4.9% from October 2010; and frozen and refrigerated bakery products, pies, tarts and turnovers, 266.4, up 0.3% from September and up 4.7% from the previous year.