Food inflation back in single digits at 9.5%

Wholesale price-based food inflation reverted to single digits at 9.5 per cent during the week ended March 19, as the rate of price rise came down in a number of essential items like vegetables and milk.

Most items, except for fruits and egg, meat and fish, showed a decline in inflation. While fruits became costlier by 24.67 per cent against 23.60 per cent a week ago, eggs, meat and fish turned more expensive by 15.34 per cent against 13.21 per cent a week ago. Fibre prices rose by 87.54 per cent during the week, against 89.55 per cent a week ago, though inflation in these items has come down a bit.

Fuel and power prices remained steady at 13.43 per cent each.