China’s food prices fell 1.7% year-on-year in May 2026, following a 1.6% decline in the previous month. It was the second consecutive monthly decrease and the fastest decrease since last October, reflecting ample food supplies and weak consumer demand. Prices continued to fall for fresh fruit (-2.2% vs. -1.0% in April), edible oils (-1.2% vs. -1.0%), and dairy products (-1.2% vs. -1.2%). Pork prices, a key component of China’s food basket, declined at a faster pace (-16.1% vs. -15.2%), amid abundant supply and subdued consumption. In contrast, egg prices picked up sharply (6.6% vs. 0.5%), while fresh vegetable prices rebounded (1.6% vs. -0.5%), likely reflecting seasonal fluctuations and higher transportation costs. source: National Bureau of Statistics of China

Cost of food in China decreased 1.70 percent in May of 2026 over the same month in the previous year. Food Inflation in China averaged 5.05 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 June of 2026.

Cost of food in China decreased 1.70 percent in May 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 and 1.20 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Consumer Price Index CPI 100.90 101.00 points May 2026
Core Consumer Prices 101.10 101.20 points May 2026
Core Inflation Rate 1.10 1.20 percent May 2026
Core Inflation Rate MoM 0.20 -0.70 percent Apr 2026
Food Inflation -1.70 -1.60 percent May 2026
GDP Deflator 105.20 106.00 points Dec 2024
Inflation Rate YoY 1.20 1.20 percent May 2026
Inflation Rate MoM -0.10 0.30 percent May 2026
Producer Price Inflation MoM 0.50 1.70 percent May 2026
Producer Prices 103.20 101.50 points Apr 2026
PPI YoY 3.90 2.80 percent May 2026
Rent Inflation -0.60 -0.50 percent Apr 2026


China Food Inflation
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-1.70 -1.60 40.20 -5.90 1993 - 2026 percent Monthly

News Stream
China Food Prices Post Steepest Drop in 7 Months
China’s food prices fell 1.7% year-on-year in May 2026, following a 1.6% decline in the previous month. It was the second consecutive monthly decrease and the fastest decrease since last October, reflecting ample food supplies and weak consumer demand. Prices continued to fall for fresh fruit (-2.2% vs. -1.0% in April), edible oils (-1.2% vs. -1.0%), and dairy products (-1.2% vs. -1.2%). Pork prices, a key component of China’s food basket, declined at a faster pace (-16.1% vs. -15.2%), amid abundant supply and subdued consumption. In contrast, egg prices picked up sharply (6.6% vs. 0.5%), while fresh vegetable prices rebounded (1.6% vs. -0.5%), likely reflecting seasonal fluctuations and higher transportation costs.
2026-06-10
China Food Prices Drop for 1st Time in 3 Months
China’s food prices fell 1.6% year-on-year in April 2026, reversing a 0.3% increase in the previous month as supply conditions improved following a prolonged supply-driven downturn. It marked the first decline in food prices since January, and the steepest fall in six months, with prices falling for fresh vegetables (-0.5% vs 4.9% in March) and fresh fruit (-1.0% vs 4.0%), alongside a steeper decline in pork prices (-15.2% vs -11.5%). Meanwhile, prices continued to decline for cooking oils (-1.0% vs -0.8%) and dairy products (-1.2% vs -0.7%), reflecting soft demand and ample inventories, while egg prices rebounded (0.5% vs -3.1%).
2026-05-11
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