Increased costs for energy and produce are driving up the consumer price index in North Texas, according to data released Wednesday from the Bureau of Labor Statistics southwest regional office.
The consumer price index for energy rose by 17.4%, compared to 20.4% nationally over a 12-month period ending in September. The consumer price index for fruits and vegetables increased 14.5% locally, compared to 3.7% nationally during the same period.
While the nation primarily grapples with rising gasoline prices, mostly fueled by international conflict with Iran and other crude oil-producing countries, consumers in Fort Worth, Arlington and Dallas are also grappling with increases in the price of produce.
Edward “Jack” Leps, an economist at the Bureau of Labor Statistics said while ongoing international conflicts have led to higher energy costs across the country, supply chain issues, including rising gas prices, remain the main driver behind increased produce prices.
“Gasoline prices are causing shipping to go up as well,” Leps said. “It’s used in everything from shipping goods to keeping them cool. There are a lot of things that go into the rest of the supply chain when gasoline is involved. And so it’s had a trickling effect, not only in Dallas, but across the U.S. as a whole.”
The consumer price index, which refers to the measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers in a given market group, increased 3% in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington region over a 12-month period ending in September. That compares to a 2.9% jump in July.
This North Texas area covered by the study includes counties of Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Somervelle, Tarrant and Wise.
The national price index increased by 3.7% in the same period.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics signaled the index change to gasoline, which rose by 34.2% in the same period. Locally, data showed the biggest consumer index jump from last year was for unleaded regular gasoline, which rose by 34%. The data also showed a 30.3% increase for unleaded midgrade and a 28% increase for unleaded premium.
The motor fuel index rose by 33.2% and gasoline of all types rose by 33.1% in North Texas.
The consumer price index for all food in the metroplex rose by 3.3% over the same 12-month period, compared with a 2.5% national increase. Food at home rose by 3.9% locally, compared to 1.8% nationally. Food away from home rose by 2.7% in North Texas, compared to 3.5% nationally.
“Food away from home (indexes) are also going to include employment costs, like (for) cashiers, bussers, waiters,” Leps said. “Cost of employment is also going to play a factor in that.”
Apart from supply chain issues, several factors have led to higher produce prices, including a multistate cyclospora outbreak linked to lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico last July, according to Leps.
Shelter indexes for the U.S. showed a 3.2% increase over the last year ending in September. The bureau also mentioned notable nationwide increases in airline fares, which rose by 22.4%; recreation, which rose by 2.8%; medical care, which rose by 1.5%; and education, which rose by 3.8%.
Rebecca Heliot is a freelance reporter who previously served as a business reporter for The Oklahoman. She specializes in general assignment business reporting, features and breaking news. Her work has been published in The Oklahoman, USA Today, Community Impact, Houston Chronicle and more. Contact her at rebecca.heliot@fortworthreport.org.
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