The CPI for fresh fruits and vegetables increased during the pandemic but at a lower rate than other food categories due to favorable weather boosting supply. Key drivers of food-at-home price increases since 2020 include: 1) COVID-19 supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and sanitation costs; 2) Russia-Ukraine war-driven fertilizer price hikes, impacting livestock feed and beef markets; 3) Avian flu outbreaks reducing egg and poultry supplies. Apples experienced price declines in 2023-24 due to a 4.1% increase in production, while citrus fruits faced weather-related price spikes. CPI data (Jan 2019=100) shows fresh fruit indexes ranging from 90.6 to 121.3 between 2019-2023.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Materials reproduced from www.bls.gov.
No endorsement by BLS is implied.
Made by AI. If you spot anything of concern write us at contact@cybach.com. We’ll promptly correct irregularities.