CPI inflation eases to 5.1% in January 2018

Core CPI inflation flat at 5% in January 2018

The all-India general CPI inflation eased to 5.07% in January 2018 (new base 2012=100), compared with 5.21% in December 2017. The corresponding provisional inflation rate for rural area was 5.21% and urban area 4.93% in January 2018 as against 5.27% and 5.09% in December 2017. The core CPI inflation was flat at 5.00% in January 2018 compared with 4.98% in December 2017. The cumulative CPI inflation was lower at 3.43% in April-January FY2018 compared with 4.68% in April-January FY2017.

Among the CPI components, inflation of food and beverages eased to 4.58% in January 2018 from 4.85% in December 2017 mainly contributing to the decline in CPI inflation. Within the food items, the inflation fell for vegetables to 26.97%, sugar and confectionery 2.85%, cereals and products 2.33% and fruits 6.24%. The inflation also declined for oils and fats to 1.26%, milk and products to 4.21% and egg 8.70%. However, the inflation jumped for pulses and products to -20.19%, spices -1.43% and meat and fish 4.34% in January 2018.

The inflation for housing increased to 8.33%, while that for miscellaneous items was flat at 3.78% in January 2018. Within the miscellaneous items, the inflation for education rose to 4.28%, recreation and amusement 4.43% and personal care and effects 4.60%, while it has eased for transport and communication to 1.97%, household goods and services 4.25% and health 4.88% in January 2018.

The inflation for clothing and footwear increased to 4.94%, while the CPI inflation of fuel and light eased to 7.73% in January 2018.

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