Wholesale prices jumped a record 9.7% in 2021

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER
AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Prices at the wholesale level surged by a record 9.7% for all of 2021, setting an annual record and providing further evidence that inflation is still present at all levels of the U.S. economy. The Labor Department reported Thursday that its producer price index, which measures inflation before it reaches consumers, did slow on a monthly basis, rising just rose 0.2% in December compared to November, when prices had shot up 1%.