Wholesale Food Prices Rose Slightly In January, Menu Prices Were Flat

After a sharp drop in December, overall wholesale food prices crept up only 0.1% in January, according to calculations on the three stages of wholesale food prices reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Declines in prices for meats and poultry, dairy products, eggs and fresh fruits overcame strong gains for fresh vegetables and fish. Overall wholesale prices are up 2.6% for the past 12 months.

On the consumer side, both food-at-home and food-away-from-home prices, part of the BLS Consumer Price Index, were flat in January. For the past 12 months, menu prices have risen 2.3% while those at groceries and other retail outlets are only 1.1% higher.