Food inflation eases to 11.81%

Food inflation declined marginally to 11.81% in the week ended October 29, but the slight moderation in the rate of price rise provided little respite to consumers burdened by high prices of essential kitchen staples like vegetables and pulses.

Food inflation, as measured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), stood at 12.21% in the previous week ended October 22. The rate of price rise of food items stood at 12.68% in the corresponding week of the previous year.

As per data released by the government today, vegetables became 26.05% costlier on a year-on-year basis during the week ended October 29. Pulses grew costlier by 13.27%, fruits by 11.70% and milk by 11.79%.

Eggs, meat and fish also became 12.74% more expensive on an annual basis, while cereal prices were up 4.07%.

However, onions became 19.31% cheaper. Wheat prices were also down 1.77% year-on-year during the week under review.

Inflation in the overall primary articles category stood at 11.43%, compared to 12.08% in the previous week. Primary articles have over 20% weight in the wholesale price index.

Inflation in non-food articles, including fibres, oilseeds and minerals, was recorded at 6.41% during the week under review.

Fuel and power inflation stood at 14.50% during the week ended October 29, unchanged from the previous week.