According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 8.5 percent in March compared to the corresponding month in 2021 and is at the highest level since 1981.  The CPI includes fuel and oil up 70.6 percent year over year, gasoline up 48 percent, used cars 35.3 percent, utility and gas service, 21.6 percent.

Chicken rose 13.4 percent similar to the categories of milk, delivery services and clothing.  The February increase in the CPI of 7.9 percent did not take into account the effect of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

The Core Price Index that excludes food and energy from the CPI, increased by 6.5 percent in March 2022 compared to March 2021.  The Producer Price Index (PPI) that relates to businesses and considered a reliable measure of inflation increased by 11.2 percent in March 2022 compared to 2021 and was up one percent over February.  The PPI has increased by double digits for four consecutive months and is the highest since the index was initiated in 2010.