Food inflation falls to single digit at 9.01%

Food inflation fell sharply to single digit at 9.01% for the week ended November 12 even as prices of most agricultural items, barring potatoes, onions and wheat, continued to rise, on an annual basis.

Food inflation, as measured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), was 10.63% in the previous week.

The rate of price rise in food items stood at 11.38% in the corresponding week of the previous year.

According to the data released by the government today, onions became cheaper by 32.85% year-on-year, while potato prices were down by 7.23. Price of wheat also fell by 3.09%.

However, all other food items became expensive on an annual basis during the week under review.

Vegetables became 17.66% costlier, while pulses grew dearer by 14.28%, milk by 10.46% and eggs, meat and fish by 11.98%.

Fruits also became 4.59% more expensive on an annual basis, while cereal prices were up 2.86%.

Inflation in the overall primary articles category stood at 9.08% during the week ended November 12, as against 10.39% 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 4.05% during the week under review, as against 5.33% in the week ended November 5.

Fuel and power inflation stood at 15.49% during the week ended November 12, the same as in the previous week.