China’s food prices dropped 0.7% year-on-year in January 2026, reversing a 1.1% increase in the previous month and marking the first decline since October. Food Inflation in China averaged 5.10 percent from 1993 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 40.20 percent in October of 1994 and a record low of -5.90 percent in January of 2024. source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

Cost of food in China decreased 0.70 percent in January of 2026 over the same month in the previous year.

Cost of food in China decreased 0.70 percent in January of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Food Inflation in China is expected to be 1.00 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the China Food Inflation is projected to trend around 1.40 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Price Index CPI 103.90 103.70 points Jan 2026
Core Consumer Prices 100.80 101.20 points Jan 2026
Core Inflation Rate 0.80 1.20 percent Jan 2026
Core Inflation Rate MoM 0.20 -0.10 percent Dec 2025
Food Inflation -0.70 1.10 percent Jan 2026
GDP Deflator 105.20 106.00 points Dec 2024
Inflation Rate YoY 0.20 0.80 percent Jan 2026
Inflation Rate MoM 0.20 0.20 percent Jan 2026
Producer Price Inflation MoM 0.40 0.20 percent Jan 2026
Producer Prices 103.90 103.60 points Jan 2026
PPI YoY -1.40 -1.90 percent Jan 2026
Rent Inflation -0.30 0.00 percent Dec 2025


China Food Inflation
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-0.70 1.10 40.20 -5.90 1993 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
China Food Prices Fall for First Time in 3 Months
China’s food prices fell 0.7% year on year in January 2026, reversing a 1.1% rise in the previous month and marking the first decline since October, as ample supply and subdued demand weighed on prices ahead of the Lunar New Year festivals in February. Egg prices remained sharply lower (-9.2% vs -12.7%), alongside continued declines in cooking oils (-0.7% vs -1.0%) and dairy products (-0.8% vs -1.8%), reflecting strong production and weak consumption. Pork prices, a key household staple, also stayed deeply negative (-13.7% vs -14.6%) amid persistent oversupply. Meanwhile, price growth slowed markedly for fresh vegetables (6.9% vs 18.2%) and fresh fruit (3.2% vs 4.4%), as earlier weather-related pressures eased and supplies improved before the holiday period.
2026-02-11
China Food Prices Rise the Most in 14 Months
China’s food prices rose 1.1% year-on-year in December 2025, accelerating sharply from a 0.2% increase in the previous month and marking the strongest pace since October 2024. The pickup was driven by faster price gains in fresh vegetables (18.2% vs 14.5% in November) and fresh fruit (4.4% vs 0.7%), reflecting seasonal supply constraints, colder winter weather, and higher logistics costs toward year-end. In contrast, prices declined further for eggs (-12.7% vs -12.5%), cooking oils (-1.0% vs -1.2%), and dairy products (-1.8% vs -1.6%), amid ample supply and subdued household demand. Pork, a key household staple, also remained deeply negative (-14.6% vs -15.0%), suggesting persistent oversupply and cautious consumer spending despite signs of stabilization in broader inflation.
2026-01-09
China Food Prices Rise for First Time in 10 Months
China’s food prices rose 0.2% year-on-year in November 2025, reversing a 2.9% drop in the previous month and marking the first increase since January. The rebound was primarily driven by increases in the prices of fresh vegetables (14.5% vs -7.3% in October) and fresh fruit (0.7% vs -2.0%), likely reflecting seasonal demand and tighter supply conditions as winter approached. Meanwhile, several key categories continued to weigh on overall food inflation. Prices fell further for eggs (-12.5% vs -11.6%), cooking oils (-1.2% vs -1.1%), and dairy products (-1.6% vs -1.7%). Pork, a core household staple, also remained weak, though the rate of decline moderated (-15.0% vs -16.0%), suggesting easing downward pressure.
2025-12-10