Food inflation falls to single digit

Food inflation fell sharply to single digit at 9.01 percent 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 percent in the previous week.

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

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

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

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

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

Inflation in the overall primary articles category stood at 9.08 percent during the week ended November 12, as against 10.39 percent in the previous week. Primary articles have over 20 percent weight in the wholesale price index.

Inflation in non-food articles, including fibres, oilseeds and minerals, was recorded at 4.05 percent during the week under review, as against 5.33 percent in the week ended November 5.

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