The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Food category, which broadly covers expenses related to both groceries (food at home) and food purchased away from home, is currently 333.59.
Understanding the Food CPI
While "groceries" commonly refers to food purchased for consumption at home, the available CPI data often aggregates this into a broader "Food" category. This index provides a comprehensive measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for food items.
Recent Trends in Food Prices
The CPI for Food has shown an upward trend over recent periods, indicating an increase in food costs for consumers.
Current and Historical Data
The following table summarizes the recent movement of the Consumer Price Index for Food:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Current Level | 333.59 |
| Last Month's Level | 332.28 |
| One Year Ago Level | 325.87 |
| Change from Last Month | +0.39% |
| Change from One Year Ago | +2.37% |
This data highlights that food prices have increased by 0.39% since last month and have risen by 2.37% over the past year.
What Does the Food CPI Indicate?
The CPI for Food is a crucial economic indicator that reflects inflationary pressures on everyday necessities. A rising CPI means that consumers are paying more for the same basket of food goods and services compared to previous periods. This trend can impact household budgets and overall purchasing power.
