Fresh produce sees 0.2 percent annual inflation in January

Fresh fruits and vegetables posted 0.2 percent inflation from January 2025 to 2026, while overall food saw 2.9 percent year-over-year inflation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index, released today.

Monthly food inflation was 0.4 percent from December 2025 to January 2026, while fresh fruits and vegetables rose 0.5 percent for the month.

Fresh fruit recorded 0.5 percent deflation from January 2025 to 2026 but rose 0.7 percent in the month. By category, apples were down 0.5 percent annually, bananas were up 5.4 percent, and citrus was up 0.2 percent.

Fresh vegetables posted 0.8 percent inflation from January 2025 to 2026 and a 0.2 percent rise month-over-month.

By category, potatoes were down 2.3 percent year-over-year, lettuce was up 4.2 percent, and tomatoes were down 2.4 percent.

Overall fruits and vegetables were up 0.8 percent year-over-year in January, as processed fruits and vegetables were up 3.6 percent, and frozen was up 1.9 percent.

In other food groups, beef and veal was up 15.0 percent annually; eggs were down 34.2 percent; milk was up 0.3 percent; cheese was down 1.2 percent; and coffee was up 18.3 percent.

BLS released the following from its monthly Consumer Price Index report on February 13, 2026:

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX – JANUARY 2026

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.4 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for shelter rose 0.2 percent in January and was the largest factor in the all items monthly increase. The food index increased 0.2 percent over the month as did the food at home index, while the food away from home index rose 0.1 percent. These increases were partially offset by the index for energy, which fell 1.5 percent in January.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.3 percent in January. Indexes that increased over the month include airline fares, personal care, recreation, medical care, and communication. The indexes for used cars and trucks, household furnishings and operations, and motor vehicle insurance were among the major indexes that decreased in January.

The all items index rose 2.4 percent for the 12 months ending January, after rising 2.7 percent for the 12 months ending December. The all items less food and energy index rose 2.5 percent over the last 12 months. The energy index decreased 0.1 percent for the 12 months ending January. The food index increased 2.9 percent over the last year.

Food

The index for food rose 0.2 percent in January as did the index for food at home. Five of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in January. The index for cereals and bakery products rose 1.2 percent over the month. The meats, poultry, fish, and eggs index increased 0.2 percent in January. The index for nonalcoholic beverages and the index for fruits and vegetables both increased 0.1 percent over the month. The dairy and related products index rose 0.8 percent in January. In contrast, the index for other food at home decreased 0.3 percent in January.

The food away from home index rose 0.1 percent in January. The index for limited service meals increased 0.3 percent, while the index for full service meals was unchanged over the month.

The food at home index rose 2.1 percent over the 12 months ending in January. The index for other food at home rose 2.1 percent over the last 12 months. The nonalcoholic beverages index increased 4.5 percent over the same period and the meats, poultry, fish, and eggs index rose 2.2 percent. The index for cereals and bakery products increased 3.1 percent over the 12 months ending in January. The fruits and vegetables index rose 0.8 percent over the year. In contrast, the index for dairy and related products decreased 0.3 percent over the same period.

The food away from home index rose 4.0 percent over the last year. The index for full service meals rose 4.7 percent and the index for limited service meals rose 3.2 percent over the same period.