China Food Prices Rise at Softer Pace

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.

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.

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.