Page 2 - Wholesale Food Inflation

Economic Survey 2025: Inflation stays high as food prices defy global dip

The Economic Survey, tabled by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday, said food inflation surpassed 8 per cent at several points in FY25 (April-December) due to supply disruptions

RBI MPC member bats for two inflation rates for better policy making

RBI Monetary Policy Committee member Nagesh Kumar has suggested that there should be two inflation rates - one including food prices and the other without food prices - so that relevant rates could be taken into account for policy making. Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran in the Economic Survey 2023-24 had pitched for excluding food inflation from the rate setting calls, saying that the monetary policy has no bearing on the prices of food items, which are dictated by supply side pressures. "I think there is a healthy debate on what should be the target, whether overall headline inflation rate or inflation rate excluding the food products, which are, you know, very seriously affected by seasonal demand, supply mismatch," Kumar told PTI while responding to a question on suggestions made in the Economic Survey for excluding food inflation while setting benchmark interest rates. The weightage of food in the overall consumer price inflation, which stands at 46 per cent, was don

Markets Today: WPI, CPI; GIFT Nifty; HCLTech; Quadrant, Capital Infra IPOs

In previous trading session, the Sensex plunged 1,048.90 points, or 1.36 per cent, to close at 76,330.01. Similarly, the Nifty50 dropped 345.55 points, or 1.47 per cent, ending the day at 23,085.95

Year in Review: How inflation pinched pockets of Indian households in 2024

Indian households grappled with soaring prices in 2024 as inflation strained budgets and reduced purchasing power. High inflation rate cut into savings and curbed discretionary spending of consumers

RaGa visits Delhi market, interacts with vendors over rising food prices

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi spoke to people at a neighbourhood market in Delhi on how the price of items, like garlic, peas, etc are straining household budgets

Food inflation continues to play spoilsport for FMCG sector: Kantar report

The per household average spend in the urban market recorded a 13% jump in a year to reach Rs 6,761 this Oct quarter

Green shoots seen on consumption, food inflation likely to fall: Ficci Prez

"Green shoots" are visible on the consumption front as food inflation has started receding, newly appointed FICCI President Harsha V Agarwal said. Food inflation is expected to come down to its normal level in the next two quarters, Agarwal said, adding that he is hopeful for a revival in consumption growth, aided by a good crop and increased spending by the government on the big-ticket infra projects and rural schemes in the December quarter. Government spending in the right areas -- like increase in capex and ramping up infrastructure, rather than focusing on revenue expenditure -- is helping the overall economy, he said. "We are seeing some green shoots where we believe food inflation is coming down... it has to come back to normal. It might take maybe one quarter or so. But we are seeing situations where it is improving, and hence we are hopeful that consumption should increase," Agarwal told PTI. Government spending in the September quarter was low due to the general elections

India inflation fell in Nov likely on moderating vegetable prices: Poll

A fall in inflation will be welcomed by households in the world's most populous country, where food takes up a large chunk of budgets

RBI raises FY25 inflation estimate to 4.8%, CPI to remain elevated in Q3

The Reserve Bank on Friday raised the inflation projection for current fiscal year to 4.8 per cent from 4.5 per cent with Governor Shaktikanta Das saying lingering food price pressures are likely to keep headline inflation elevated in the December quarter. Consumer price index (CPI)-based inflation increased sharply in September and October 2024 led by an unanticipated increase in food prices. Core inflation, though at subdued levels, also registered a pick-up in October. Fuel group remained in deflation for the 14th consecutive month in October. "In the near term, despite some softening, lingering food price pressures are likely to keep headline inflation elevated in Q3," Das said while unveiling the December 2024 monetary policy. RBI said CPI inflation for 2024-25 is projected at 4.8 per cent, with Q3 at 5.7 per cent; and Q4 at 4.5 per cent. CPI or retail inflation for Q1:2025-26 is projected at 4.6 per cent, and Q2 at 4 per cent. In the October policy, the central bank had ...

Slowdown in urban demand hits FMCG growth; rural recovery offers hope

Initial data from NielsenIQ for October shows overall FMCG growth at 4-5 per cent, with volume growth at around 3 per cent and price growth at just 1-2 per cent

As inflation pinches, govt mulls reducing food weighting in CPI. Here's why

The govt is exploring a reduction in food's weight in the Consumer Price Index to reflect changing consumption patterns and manage inflation, as food prices remain volatile and seasonally driven

Equity returns outclass gold, FD, property in the long term: Morgan Stanley

Indian households, Desai wrote, are still under-invested in equities. At cost, only 3 per cent of the household balance sheet is in equities, excluding equity holdings of founders.

Retail inflation to touch 14-month high in Oct as food prices surge: Poll

Core inflation, which excludes volatile items such as food and energy and is seen as a better gauge of domestic demand, was forecast to be 3.60 per cent in October, according to the median estimate

Strong demand for premium products persists despite inflation pressures

Amid shifting retail dynamics driven by India's quick commerce boom, premium products are moving off shelves faster across all channels

Raghuram Rajan opposes excluding food inflation in setting interest rates

Amid suggestions for excluding food inflation while setting benchmark interest rates, former RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan has said that he is against excluding food prices from headline inflation, as it would erode the 'great faith' of people in the central bank, which has been mandated by the government to keep inflation in check. Rajan further said it is best that inflation target a basket which is what the consumer consumes because that affects the consumers perception of inflation and ultimately inflationary expectations. "When I came into office, we were still targeting PPI (producer price index). Now that has no bearing to what the average consumer faces. "So, when the RBI says inflation is low, look at PPI, but if the consumer is facing something very different, then they do not really believe that inflation is down," he told PTI. Rajan was responding to a question on suggestions made in the Economic Survey 2023-24 for excluding food inflation while setting benchmark interest

Restaurant sector to turn around after tough Q1: Speciality Restaurants CMD

The restaurant industry is expected to turn around on the back of India's overall strong fundamentals after facing temporary headwinds such as high food inflation and people dining out less that hurt the sector in the first quarter, according to Speciality Restaurants Ltd CMD Anjanmoy Chatterjee. The company, which has a slew of brands such as Mainland China, Asia Kitchen by Mainland China, Episode One, Haka, and Sweet Bengal, among others and shut 29 outlets during the pandemic, is now focussing on profitable growth while expanding its footprint. "It should be clear that India not eating out or inflation not settling down is something which I don't believe in. India is better than many more countries...," Chatterjee told PTI. He was responding to a query on how long factors such as high food inflation and people dining out less after the diminishing of 'revenge eating' post pandemic that affected the restaurant industry, will continue to impact the sector. "It is a short-term ...

Food inflation can't be ignored, need to remain vigilant: RBI Governor Das

Economic Survey had suggested exploring whether inflation targeting framework of the central bank should exclude food

Inflation targeting without food is no solution

While the interests of famers need to be protected, it would further complicate monetary and macroeconomic management

RBI may hold repo rates amid high food prices: Business Standard poll

Most respondents expect rate cuts from Dec; change in stance unlikely

Costlier veggies: Eating out to get pricier as restaurants mull price hikes

The continuous heavy rainfall in key tomato-producing states like Maharashtra and Karnataka has disrupted transportation, leading to a shortage in supply and subsequent price hikes