Consumer Inflation Inches Upward in December

Food prices increased in December, but not as much as expected, according to the latest Consumer Price Index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for December was released early Tuesday morning by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, and the markets are responding kindly.

The numbers show consumer inflation rose 0.3 percent last month. However, that is 0.10 percent lower than expected. Year over year, consumer inflation is up 2.7 percent. Shelter was the largest increase in December, while the food index rose by 0.7 percent.

On Wednesday, the Bureau will release a companion report, the Producer Price Index (PPI), which provides a read on farmer spending. Join us on Market Day Report for expert analysis on that data and what it means for the ag industry as we head into the new year.

Related Stories
Energy shifts influence diesel and fertilizer costs.
Ben Kurtzman with American Farmland Trust discusses the growing pressure on farmland and ranchland and the steps being taken to help conserve farms and ranches across the country ,as unrest in the Middle East adds more obstacles for producers.
Weather remains the primary driver for wheat price outlook.
HTS Commodities’ Lewis Williamson provides updates on how growers are preparing for spring planting in an unpredictable agricultural landscape.
Jake Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on current cattle market conditions and shares advice for producers seeking to stay protected in an uncertain market.
USDA’s March WASDE report leaves U.S. corn, soybean and wheat ending stocks unchanged while adjusting global production estimates for South America.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

New Nebraska wildfires near containment, but damages still mount for ranchers across the region.
Widespread drought and extreme weather leave producers managing limited resources
Rising fertilizer costs tied to tariffs are tightening margins for U.S. wheat growers, according to new data from the National Association of Wheat Growers.
Jose de Jesus explains the National Pork Board’s new campaign, “Taste What Pork Can Do,” which aims to build long-term engagement with Millennial and Gen-Z consumers.
Farm legal expert Roger McEowen highlights the legal challenges surrounding stray voltage, a recent court decision, and what it means for agricultural producers.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins shared a behind-the-scenes look at the journey as part of what’s being called the “Great American Egg Road Trip.”