China’s food prices rose 0.3% year-on-year in March 2026, easing sharply from a 1.7% increase in the previous month, which had marked the fastest rise since October 2024, as supply conditions improved and earlier weather-related pressures faded. Price growth slowed notably for fresh vegetables (4.9% vs 10.9% in February) and fresh fruit (4.0% vs 5.9%), pointing to better seasonal supply and normalization after prior spikes. Meanwhile, pork prices, a key household staple, fell at a steeper pace (-11.5% vs -8.6%), highlighting persistent oversupply and deepening deflationary pressure following a prolonged supply-driven downturn. Elsewhere, prices remained subdued for eggs (-3.1% vs -2.9%), cooking oils (-0.8% vs -1.1%), and dairy products (-0.7% vs -1.1%), reflecting soft demand and ample inventories. source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

Cost of food in China increased 0.30 percent in March of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Food Inflation in China averaged 5.08 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. This page provides - China Food Inflation - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. China Food Inflation - values, historical data and charts - was last updated on April of 2026.

Cost of food in China increased 0.30 percent in March of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Food Inflation in China is expected to be 0.10 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 and 1.20 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Price Index CPI 100.80 101.50 points Mar 2026
Core Consumer Prices 101.10 101.80 points Mar 2026
Core Inflation Rate 1.10 1.80 percent Mar 2026
Core Inflation Rate MoM -0.70 0.70 percent Mar 2026
Food Inflation 0.30 1.70 percent Mar 2026
GDP Deflator 105.20 106.00 points Dec 2024
Inflation Rate YoY 1.00 1.30 percent Mar 2026
Inflation Rate MoM -0.70 1.00 percent Mar 2026
Producer Price Inflation MoM 1.00 0.40 percent Mar 2026
Producer Prices 101.50 100.50 points Mar 2026
PPI YoY 0.50 -0.90 percent Mar 2026
Rent Inflation -0.50 -0.50 percent Mar 2026


China Food Inflation
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
0.30 1.70 40.20 -5.90 1993 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
China Food Inflation Slows Sharply
China’s food prices rose 0.3% year-on-year in March 2026, easing sharply from a 1.7% increase in the previous month, which had marked the fastest rise since October 2024, as supply conditions improved and earlier weather-related pressures faded. Price growth slowed notably for fresh vegetables (4.9% vs 10.9% in February) and fresh fruit (4.0% vs 5.9%), pointing to better seasonal supply and normalization after prior spikes. Meanwhile, pork prices, a key household staple, fell at a steeper pace (-11.5% vs -8.6%), highlighting persistent oversupply and deepening deflationary pressure following a prolonged supply-driven downturn. Elsewhere, prices remained subdued for eggs (-3.1% vs -2.9%), cooking oils (-0.8% vs -1.1%), and dairy products (-0.7% vs -1.1%), reflecting soft demand and ample inventories.
2026-04-10
China Food Prices Rise the Most in 16 Months
China’s food prices rose 1.7% year on year in February 2026, reversing a 0.7% decline in the previous month and marking the fastest increase since October 2024, largely driven by stronger demand during the Spring Festival holiday. Festive consumption typically boosts purchases of fresh produce and meat, leading to a temporary pickup in food inflation. Price growth accelerated notably for fresh vegetables (10.9% vs 6.9% in January) and fresh fruit (5.9% vs 3.2%). At the same time, pork prices, a key household staple in China, fell at a slower pace (-8.6% vs -13.7%), suggesting easing downward pressure after a prolonged supply-driven slump. The decline in egg prices also moderated (-2.9% vs -9.2%), indicating firmer demand during the holiday period. However, price declines deepened for some items, including cooking oils (-1.1% vs -0.7%) and dairy products (-1.1% vs -0.8%), likely reflecting ample supply and softer input costs.
2026-03-09
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