WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Wholesale prices fell for a second straight month in May, the first time that has happened in a year, reflecting big declines in the cost of energy and food.

The Labor Department said wholesale prices dropped 0.3 percent in May following a 0.1 percent decline in April.

Core inflation, which excludes energy and food, posted a 0.2 percent increase.

Core prices are up just 1.3 percent over the past 12 months.