The Consumer Brands Association has cautioned that high wholesale prices in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ readout continue to pose cost pressures for the manufacturers of consumer packaged goods.
The September Producer Price Index rose 8.5 percent over last year and 0.4 percent over last month, doubling economists’ expectations with the largest month-to-month increase since May. For the CPG industry, key commodities are still higher than overall wholesale prices, as the food PPI rose 10.2 percent over last year.
“September showed ongoing cost pressures and the impact of supply chain disruptions from Hurricane Ian, renewed fears of a rail strike and oil prices that have yet to surface in the data,” said Katie Denis, VP of communications and research.
Key commodities continue to show wholesale prices well above last year and significantly higher than pre-pandemic norms. Diesel fuel is up 65.9 percent over last year, and the increase does not show the effects of OPEC’s decision to cut oil production by two million barrels a day, which is expected to result in further gas price hikes. High fuel costs impact the CPG industry, as it makes up one-fifth of all freight transportation.
Further, a temporary agreement to avert a national freight rail strike last month is being called into question as key rail unions have begun rejecting the terms. A strike would lead to a shutdown of the national freight rail system, causing supply chain disruptions that would upset availability of key inputs and prices and cost $2 billion in lost economic output a day.
As rail unions negotiated the temporary agreement, Consumer Brands called for congressional intervention if the Biden administration was unable oversee the adoption of a deal and has since backed legislation to fend off rail future disruptions.
In addition to supporting supply chain legislative proposals that were left out of the CHIPS bill earlier this year, Consumer Brands advocates for expanded labeling flexibility that allows companies to make necessary ingredient substitutions to keep products on shelves in the event of supply chain disruptions, such as a rail shutdown.
“With one crisis after another, efforts to strengthen the supply chain have to be at the forefront of Washington’s agenda,” said Tom Madrecki, VP of supply chain. “Congressional action to increase visibility and enhance federal coordination help us weather individual crises and, ultimately, ensure consumers have access to products they depend on.”
For more information, visit consumerbrandsassociation.org.
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