Wholesale Food And Menu Prices Rose Again In June

Wholesale food prices rose for the third month in the last four and menu price increases outpaced those at grocery stores again in June, according to producer and consumer price data released in mid-July by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

According to analysis from the National Restaurant Association, average wholesale food prices rose 0.4% in June, wiping out most of half-point decline in prices in May. March and April had modest increases. The so-called finished foods index was 0.5% higher in June, the BLS reported.

Menu price increases, charted as part of the Consumer Price Index, rose 0.2% in June, outstripping a 0.1% increase in food at home prices. It was the sixth consecutive month in which menu prices have increased faster than grocery store prices. On an unadjusted basis, menu prices are 2.9% higher than a year ago, while retail food prices stand 2.6% higher.