CGA Foodservice Index: Inflation Is Sliding, But Heads Up—Things Aren’t All Smooth Sailing
So, here’s what’s happening in the foodservice world: the CGA Prestige Foodservice Price Index dipped to a 12.6% rise from a year ago in January. That’s a 1.2‑point swing down from December’s 13.8%, and it marks the seventh straight month the beat has fallen.
What the Numbers Are Really Telling
- From June 2023 onward, the index has been sliding an average of 1.4% per month.
- Year‑over‑year inflation still keeps most categories high, with only dairy and oils & fats dropping below the 10‑percent mark.
- On a month‑to‑month basis, four categories slipped, and just two bumped up more than 1% compared to December.
Why We Still Need to Hold On Tight
Even though the numbers look better, supply is still looking shaky. Farmers across the continent are staging protests, and UK border checks are flicking up import costs. Add in the UK government’s push to label all meat and dairy strictly for UK consumption—shaken up a lot of industry feel‑good vibes—and you’ve got a recipe for price spikes.
Industry Voices: Skeptical but Not Sheepish
Shaun Allen (Prestige Purchasing CEO) says, “Inflation’s easing, sure, but the cocktail still tastes salty. Operators need to keep their eyes on the supply chain – it’s begging for better data and smarter market insight.”
James Ashurst (CGA by NIQ Client Director) adds, “The slowdown is welcome, but the real relief is still far in the future. Supply woes are waving red flags while commodity prices loosen up. A tail‑wind of government support—and maybe a shuffle on import red tape—would be a game‑changer.”
Bottom Line: Keep Your Pants On
While the trend of falling prices is good news, the environment is still anything but stable. Any kind of policy shift or supply disruption can quickly flip the script. For now, the best combative strategy is vigilance and smart budgeting.
