CPI inflation jumps to 17-month high of 5.2% in December 2017

Core CPI inflation rises to 5% in December 2017

The all-India general CPI inflation surged to 17-month high of 5.21% in December 2017 (new base 2012=100), compared with 4.88% in November 2017. The corresponding provisional inflation rate for rural area was 5.27% and urban area 5.09% in December 2017 as against 4.79% and 4.90% in November 2017. The core CPI inflation increased to 4.96% in December 2017 compared with 4.75% in November 2017. The cumulative CPI inflation was lower at 3.25% in April-December FY2018 compared with 4.85% in April-December FY2017.

Among the CPI components, inflation of food and beverages accelerated to 4.85% in December 2017 from 4.41% in November 2017 mainly contributing to the increase in CPI inflation. Within the food items, the inflation increased for vegetables to 2.57%, meat and fish 4.22%, fruits 9.48% and oils and fats 4.37%. The inflation also moved up for pulses and products to 1.43%, milk and products to 6.63% and egg 29.13%. However, the inflation eased for sugar and confectionery (-) 23.47%, prepared meals, snacks, sweets etc to 6.21% and non-alcoholic beverages (-) 2.21% in December 2017.

The inflation for housing increased to 8.25%, while that for miscellaneous items moved up to 3.79% in December 2017. Within the miscellaneous items, the inflation for personal care and effects galloped to 4.18%, health 4.96% and recreation and amusement 2.16%, while it has eased for transport and communication to 3.86%, household goods and services 4.06% and education 4.46% in December 2017.

The inflation for clothing and footwear eased to 4.80%, while the CPI inflation of fuel and light also fell to 7.90% in December 2017.

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