The Consumer Price Index for baked foods and cereal products fell 0.4%, down to 266.7 in September from 267.8 in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the US Department of Labor. The index for all food at home also fell, decreasing 0.1% after finishing up 0.2% in August.

Of the 18 items followed by Milling & Baking News, 7 posted month-over-month gains and 11 finished lower.


The September index for Cereals and Bakery Products before seasonal adjustment was 266.7% of the 1982-84 average, up 0.9% from a year ago. For all food at home, the September index was 231.6, up 0.8% from September 2011.

The CPI for cereals and cereal products in September was 230.1, down 1.5% from August and down 0.3% from September 2011. The index for products within this category included: flour and prepared mixes, 254.5, down 0.9% from August but up 2.4% from the previous year; breakfast cereal, 224.2, down 1.9% from the previous month and down 1.4% from a year ago; and rice, pasta and corn meal, 237.2, down 0.9% from August but up 0.5% from September 2011.

The price index for bakery products in September was 287, up 0.2% from August and up 1.8% from September 2011.

The September index for bread was 173, up 0.4% from August and up 1.2% from September 2011. Under this heading, the CPI for white bread was 313.6, down 0.8% from August but up 1.8% from September 2011. For bread other than white, the index was 334.2, up 1.4% from August but down 0.6% from a year ago.

The price index for fresh biscuits, rolls and muffins in September was 168.1, up 0.7% from August and up 0.7% from September 2011. The September index for cakes, cupcakes and cookies was 264.2, down 0.2% from August but up 2% from September 2011. Under this segment, other price indexes included fresh cakes and cupcakes, 274.4, down 0.4% from August but up 1.5% from September 2011; and cookies, 255.7, up 0.5% from the previous month and up 3.6% from the previous year.

The CPI for other bakery products in September was 263.3, up 0.2% from August and up 2.4% from September 2011. Under this heading, other price indexes in September included: fresh sweet rolls, coffee cakes and donuts, 277.1, down 0.8% from August but up 3.3% from September 2011; crackers and cracker products, 306.2, down 0.3% from August but up 2.9% from September 2011; and frozen and refrigerated bakery products, pies, tarts and turnovers, 270.9, up 0.6% from August and up 1.9% from the previous year.