Monthly produce inflation drops again but stays 5.5% above July 2025

Monthly fresh produce inflation dropped again from June to July (-0.2 percent), but it remains 5.5 percent higher than a year ago.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index released today shows overall inflation in July 2026 was 3.4 percent higher than July 2025 and rose just 0.1 percent from June to July, after falling 0.4 percent from May to June.

Fresh fruit posted a 1.1 percent monthly gain and 4.9 percent above a year ago. Apples were 11.1 percent higher than a year ago, bananas just 0.6 percent higher than a year ago, and citrus 3.8 percent higher than last July.

Fresh vegetables dropped 1.6 percent from June to July but stayed 6.3 percent higher than last July.

Potatoes were up 3.4 percent from last year, and tomatoes were 12.8 percent higher than last July. Lettuce dropped 15.1 percent from June to July but still posted 7.5 percent higher prices than July 2025.

Overall food inflation rose 0.1 percent from June to July and 3.0 percent from July 2025. Food at home was 2.7 percent above a year ago, and food away from home was 3.4 percent higher than July 2025.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX – JULY 2026 Consumer Price Index Summary – 2026 M07 Results

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in July after falling 0.4 percent in June, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 3.4 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The index for shelter rose 0.1 percent in July, accounting for roughly two-thirds of the monthly all items increase. The index for food also increased 0.1 percent over the month, as the index for food away from home increased 0.3 percent. In contrast, the energy index declined 1.5 percent in July.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 0.2 percent after being unchanged in June. Indexes that increased over the month include medical care, airline fares, communication, education, and recreation. Conversely, the index for motor vehicle insurance was among the major indexes that decreased in July.

The all items index rose 3.4 percent for the 12 months ending July after rising 3.5 percent for the 12 months ending June. The all items less food and energy index rose 2.5 percent over the year, following a 2.6-percent increase over the 12 months ending June. The energy index increased 14.7 percent for the 12 months ending July. The food index increased 3.0 percent over the last year.

Food

The food index rose 0.1 percent in July, after rising 0.2 percent in June. The index for food at home decreased 0.1 percent over the month. Three of the six major grocery store food group indexes decreased in July. The meats, poultry, fish, and eggs index decreased 0.7 percent over the month as the pork index declined 1.5 percent.

The index for fruits and vegetables decreased 0.1 percent in July as the index for lettuce fell 16.4 percent. The dairy and related products index decreased 0.1 percent over the month. The index for other food at home was unchanged in July.

In contrast, the nonalcoholic beverages index rose 0.9 percent in July after falling 1.5 percent in June. The index for cereals and bakery products increased 0.2 percent over the month.

The food away from home index rose 0.3 percent in July. The index for limited service meals rose 0.4 percent, and the index for full service meals rose 0.2 percent over the month.

The index for food at home rose 2.7 percent over the 12 months ending in July. The fruits and vegetables index rose 5.1 percent over the last 12 months. The index for other food at home increased 2.5 percent, and the index for nonalcoholic beverages rose 4.1 percent over the year. The meats, poultry, fish, and eggs index increased 1.9 percent over the 12 months ending in July, and the cereals and bakery products index rose 2.7 percent over the same period. In contrast, the index for dairy and related products fell 0.5 percent over the year.

The food away from home index rose 3.4 percent over the last year. The index for full service meals rose 3.4 percent, and the index for limited service meals rose 3.3 percent over the 12 months ending in July.