Monthly produce inflation cools but remains 5.7% above last year

Fresh produce monthly inflation dropped 1.1 percent from May to June 2026, but annual inflation remains 5.7 percent above a year ago.

That increase is nearly double the annual food inflation of 3.0 percent in June.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index released today shows overall inflation cooled in June to 3.5 percent above June 2025, from 4.2 percent last month, and monthly inflation dropped 0.3 percent.

The primary driver of the decrease was energy prices dropping about 5 percent from May to June. Motor fuel prices were nearly 10 lower for the month, but year-over-year inflation for motor fuel remains high, at 27 percent above June 2025.

Fresh fruit prices in June were 2.0 percent higher than a year ago, but they dropped 0.9 percent for the month. Apples were up 7.1 percent annually, bananas up 1.0 percent, and citrus up 6.3 percent.

Fresh vegetables’ inflation is much higher at 9.9 percent from June 2025 to June 2026, but they fell 1.2 percent from May to June 2026.

Potato annual inflation was 1.4 percent in June 2026, lettuce was 32.1 percent higher, and tomatoes were 19.5 percent higher than a year ago.

Annual inflation for food at home was 2.7 percent in June, while food away from home was 3.4 percent.

BLS released the following from its monthly Consumer Price Index report on July 14, 2026:

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX – JUNE 2026

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) decreased 0.4 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in June after rising 0.5 percent in May, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

This decline in the all items index was the largest 1-month decrease since April 2020 when it fell 0.8 percent. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.5 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for energy fell 5.7 percent in June after rising 3.9 percent in May, 3.8 percent in April, and 10.9 percent in March. The energy index was the largest contributor to the monthly all items decrease, more than offsetting increases in other indexes including those for shelter and food. The index for food increased 0.2 percent over the month, as did the index for food at home and the index for food away from home.

The index for all items less food and energy was unchanged in June. Indexes that decreased over the month include motor vehicle insurance, communication, apparel, medical care, and used cars and trucks. Conversely, the indexes for recreation, household furnishings and operations, and personal care were among the major indexes that increased in June.

The all items index rose 3.5 percent for the 12 months ending June after rising 4.2 percent for the 12 months ending May. The all items less food and energy index rose 2.6 percent over the year, following a 2.9-percent increase over the 12 months ending May. The energy index increased 15.7 percent for the 12 months ending June. The food index increased 3.0 percent over the last year.