Fresh produce inflation continues surge in May 2026

Fresh produce annual inflation continues to outpace food inflation, rising 6.7 percent annually in May.

Fresh fruit and vegetable inflation is more than double the pace of food (3.1 percent annually), as overall year-over-year inflation was 4.2 percent, the highest monthly figure since April 2023.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index released today shows that energy prices are the main driver of overall inflation, as they’ve seen a sharp rise since the start of the Iran war in February.

Overall energy was 23.5 percent higher than a year ago, while motor fuel was 40.9 percent higher than May 2025.

Fresh vegetables saw massive inflation in May, as prices were 11.9 percent higher than a year ago. Potatoes were down 0.6 percent, but lettuce was up 24.9 percent, and tomatoes were up 32 percent annually.

Fresh fruit inflation was much milder at 2.1 percent annually. Apples were up 5.6 percent, bananas were down 1.2 percent, and citrus was up 6.1 percent annually.

While overall food inflation was up 3.1 percent, food at home came in lower at 2.7 percent annually. Food away from home was 3.5 percent higher in May 2026 than May 2025.

BLS released the following from its monthly Consumer Price Index report on June 10, 2026:

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX – May 2026

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.5 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in May, after rising 0.6 percent in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 4.2 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for energy rose 3.9 percent in May, after rising 3.8 percent in April and 10.9 percent in March. The energy index accounted for over sixty percent of the monthly all items increase. The index for shelter also increased in May, rising 0.3 percent. The food index increased 0.2 percent over the month as the food at home index rose 0.1 percent and the food away from home index increased 0.3 percent.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent in May. Indexes that increased over the month include communication, airline fares, medical care, personal care, and recreation. Conversely, the indexes for motor vehicle insurance, household furnishings and operations, and new vehicles were among the major indexes that decreased in May.

The all items index rose 4.2 percent for the 12 months ending May, after rising 3.8 percent for the 12 months ending April. The all items less food and energy index rose 2.9 percent over the year, following a 2.8-percent increase over the 12 months ending April. The energy index increased 23.5 percent for the 12 months ending May. The food index increased 3.1 percent over the last year.