Food inflation falls to 9.01%

Food inflation fell sharply to single digit at 9.01 per cent 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 per cent in the previous week. The rate of price rise in food items stood at 11.38 per cent in the corresponding week of the previous year. According to the data released by the government today, onions became cheaper by 32.85 per cent year-on-year, while potato prices were down by 7.23. Price of wheat also fell by 3.09 per cent. However, all other food items became expensive on an annual basis during the week underreview. Vegetables became 17.66 per cent costlier, while pulses grew dearer by 14.28 per cent, milk by 10.46 per cent and eggs, meat and fish by 11.98 per cent. Fruits also became 4.59 per cent more expensive on an annual basis, while cereal prices were up 2.86 per cent. Inflation in the overall primary articles category stood at 9.08 per cent during the week ended November 12, as against 10.39 per cent in the previous week. Primary articles have over 20 per cent weight in the wholesale price index. Inflation in non-food articles, including fibres, oilseeds and minerals, was recorded at 4.05 per cent during the week under review, as against 5.33 per cent in the week ended November 5. Fuel and power inflation stood at 15.49 per cent during the week ended November 12, the same as in the previous week.