WASHINGTON – The Consumer Price Index for was unchanged in April following a 0.2 percent decline in March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) climbed 0.1 percent in April, while the all items index declined 0.2 percent over the last 12 months before seasonal adjustment, according to BLS data. The food at home index fell 0.2 percent in April following a 0.5 percent decline in March.


The index for meats, poultry, fish and eggs fell 0.7 percent, BLS said. The beef index trended higher for the fifteenth month in a row, but the indexes for pork, poultry, and eggs all declined.

The CPI dairy and related products dropped 0.8 percent which is the largest decline of the major grocery store food groups, BLS noted. The CPI for dairy posted its fourth consecutive decrease.

BLS reported that the index for other food at home increased slightly, rising 0.1 percent. Meanwhile, CPI for food at home advanced 1.3 percent for the 12 months ending April. BLS noted the increase is the smallest 12-month increase since the year ending February 2014.

The index for food away from home edged 0.2 percent higher in April and has risen 2.9 percent over the last 12 months.

The index for cereals and bakery products declined in April, falling 0.3 percent, while the index for non-alcoholic beverages rose 0.5 percent in April after declining in March, according to BLS.

The index for fruits and vegetables trended higher in April, climbing 0.2 percent after falling in each of the previous three months.