Food prices for consumers ticked up in February, as a 1.4% increase in the cost of fruits and vegetables helped drive an overall 0.4% hike in the cost of groceries, according to the latest Consumer Price Index.

The February uptick in grocery prices came on the heels of a 0.2% increase in January.

The seasonally adjusted price of sugar and sweets rose 2.8% as candy and chewing gum were up 3.7%. Nonalcoholic beverages and beverage materials increased 0.8% and coffee was up 1.8%.

The price index for meats, poultry, fish and eggs was unchanged, but specific types of meats increased in cost. Beef and veal, for example, rose 1.5%, and ground beef saw a 0.8% hike. Poultry prices were up 0.5%, with the price of whole chickens increasing 1.6%. Fresh and frozen chicken parts fell 0.8%. Fish and seafood prices rose 0.2%.

Bacon was up 0.6%, and 4.5% over the last year. Pork prices inched up 0.1%, and have increased 2.4% in the last year.

Eggs, however, continued to decrease, falling 3.8% in the month. Egg prices are now down 42.1% over the past year. Butter and margarine prices went down 2.5% in February.

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“Today’s CPI numbers reflect an uneven grocery price environment and underscore the challenge in bringing down food inflation across all categories to more historical averages,” said Andy Harig, vice president of tax, trade, sustainability and policy development for FMI-The Food Industry Association, which represents major retail chains. 

In a statement, Harig warned about the potential impact of the war with Iran on food inflation. 

“Numerous factors including labor, transportation costs, commodity market fluctuations, and energy prices affect the prices of goods on store shelves. In particular, we are keeping a watchful eye on the impact of the conflict in the Middle East with regard to global oil and fertilizer availability,” he said. “Food production and transportation are energy-intensive, and sustained increases in oil prices can put upward pressure on food."

Milk prices fell 0.4% in February, with fresh whole milk down 1%. Cheese and related products decreased 1.2%.

Fresh fruit and vegetable prices rose 1.7% overall in February, with lettuce up 12.2% and tomatoes increasing 6.4%. Apples were up 2.3%.

In the past year, grocery store prices are up 2.4%. Beef and veal have risen 14.4%, ground beef 15.2%, beef roasts 12.4%, and steaks 16.3%.

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