Food Inflation

India's retail inflation rose to 3.4% in March, driven by higher food and fuel prices, with economists warning of further upside risks amid global uncertainties

Data showed rural inflation at 3.63 per cent, while urban inflation remained lower at 3.11 per cent

The International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Food Programme have said that the war in the Middle East has triggered one of the largest disruptions to global energy markets and will inevitably lead to rising food prices and food insecurity. In a joint statement, the heads of the three organisations said the burden of rising food prices will fall most heavily on the world's most vulnerable populations. "The Middle East war is upending lives and livelihoods in the region and beyond. It has already triggered one of the largest disruptions to global energy markets in modern history. "Sharp increases in oil, gas, and fertiliser prices, together with transport bottlenecks, will inevitably lead to rising food prices and food insecurity," said the joint statement issued after a meeting of the heads of the three institutions on Wednesday. They said the three organisations will continue to monitor the developments closely and coordinate the use of all available tools to suppo

Centre says India is sitting on 36.5 per cent more fertiliser stocks as on March 6, compared to last year; farmers fully insulated from global shocks

Food's share in CPI falls sharply in 2024 series, boosting core inflation's role; rural weight declines but remains higher than urban consumption

The government has lifted wheat stocking restrictions imposed in May 2025 after private stocks rose sharply and prices softened, though weekly reporting and monitoring will continue

December 2025 CPI-based inflation: The increase in headline inflation is mainly attributed to an increase in the prices of items across personal care, vegetables, meat and fish, egg, and pulses

The nominal growth rate of GVA of agriculture and allied activities is projected at a record low of just 0.8 per cent in FY26, down from 10.4 per cent in the last financial year

November CPI-based inflation: The food inflation in November stood at -3.91 per cent, marking an increase from -5.02 per cent in October

Global food prices fell for a third straight month in November, driven by declines in sugar, dairy and oil - though cereals bucked the trend with a modest rise

Things are in place for a good rabi harvest. But farmers must contend with poor prices for their kharif harvest. And that may have a knock-on effect on rabi prices in a vicious cycle

Inflation could stay low for some time, but should be viewed with caution amid global risks and climate change

Prices of vegetables, onions, potatoes, and broilers fell in October, bringing down the average cost of a home-cooked thali and extending deflation in essential commodities

Retail inflation for farm and rural workers eased to -0.07 per cent and 0.31 per cent, respectively, in September from 1.07 per cent and 1.26 per cent in August, respectively, according to the Labour Ministry data released on Saturday. For the month of September 2025, the All-India Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers decreased by 0.11 points to 136.23, while the index for Rural Labourers decreased by 0.18 points, reaching 136.42, the labour ministry said. The CPI-AL and CPI-RL were 136.34 points and 136.60 points, respectively, in August 2025. The Food Index decreased by 0.47 points for Agricultural Labourers (AL) and 0.58 points for Rural Labourers (RL) in September 2025. Food inflation in September 2025 stood at -2.35 per cent for AL and -1.81 per cent for RL," the ministry stated. These indices are based on data collected from a set of 787 sample villages across 34 States/UTs.

September CPI-based inflation: The inflation dipped in September after an increase in August that marked the first monthly rise in inflation in 10 months

Flood-hit crop supplies push vegetable prices up 11-34% in Delhi's Azadpur mandi; experts warn of inflation risks as food costs climb across NCR

IMD said today current spell of heavy rains over North to continue for 2 more days

Key meal ingredients' prices, however, continued to trend lower from a year ago

RBI's report on the transition to flexible inflation targeting highlights its role in managing inflation expectations, despite supply shocks and global inflation factors

Prices of oils and fats, for example, increased by over 17 per cent and may require policy attention