Washington, Shawwal 9, 1437, July 14, 2016, SPA -- Prices charged by U.S. producers rose in June at the fastest pace in 13 months, reflecting a big jump in the costs of gasoline and other energy products, the government reported Wednesday. The Labor Department said its producer price index (PPI), which measures cost pressures before they reach the consumer, increased 0.5 percent last month, the biggest monthly gain since a similar rise in May 2015. Energy costs jumped 4.1 percent in June, reflecting 9.9 percent jump in the price of gasoline, the biggest increase since a 17.7 percent spike in May 2015. Food prices rose 0.9 percent, the largest gain since January, and were fueled by increases in the costs of corn and wheat. Core PPI, which excludes volatile energy and food costs, rose 0.4 percent last month, the biggest advance since January. Despite the June acceleration, however, producer prices are up only 0.3 percent over the past 12 months, while core inflation is up a moderate 1.3 percent, well below the Federal Reserve (Fed) inflation target of 2 percent. The PPI increases are similar to the mild inflation being registered at the consumer level. A measure of consumer prices favored by the Fed has remained below 2 percent for more than four years, and the Fed reported Tuesday that there are few indications inflation will increase much amid signs of slowing consumer spending. --SPA 21:06 LOCAL TIME 18:06 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w