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
Wheat Harvest Advances As Drought Pressures Pastures
World cotton stocks are projected to be lower in 2026/27, but inventories remain large enough to limit a true shortage story.
U.S. consumers are still reaching for beef even though the country now produces more pork than beef.

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:

Acquiring farm or ranch land, as well as the key concepts and issues are the topics of today’s blog post by RFD-TV Agri-legal Expert Roger McEowen.
RFD-TV is proud to provide daily agriculture and markets news to the hard-working farmers across Rural America ever day, but it is a special joy to celebrate our viewers today on National Farmers Day!
In the rolling fields and fertile lands of America’s Heartland, John Deere and Farm Rescue are nurturing a partnership protecting the rural way of life.
With 2023 projected to be a difficult year for agricultural producers, Chapter 12 filings may increase. One of the requirements to get a Chapter 12 reorganization plan approved is that be filed in “good faith.” In this blog post, RFD-TV Legal Contributor Roger A. McEowen explains exactly what farmers need to know about the process.