Food inflation witnessed a sharp moderation to 8% for the week ended November 19, though 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 9.01% in the previous week ended November 12. It stood at 9.03% in the corresponding week of the previous year.
According to data released by the government today, onions became cheaper by 40.65% year-on-year during the week under review, while potato prices were down by 10.98%. Price of wheat also fell by 4.71%.
However, all other food items grew more expensive on an annual basis.
Pulses became 13.80% costlier during the week ended November 19, while milk grew dearer by 11.41% and eggs, meat and fish by 13.55%.
Vegetable prices were up by 5.13% year-on-year. However, this marked a substantial slowdown in the inflation rate in comparison to the past few months, when prices of vegetables had witnessed double-digit growth.
Fruits also became 7.98% more expensive on an annual basis, while cereal prices were up 1.97%.
Inflation in the overall primary articles category stood at 7.74% during the week ended November 19, as against 9.08% in the previous week. Primary articles have over 20% weight in the wholesale price index.
Inflation in non-food articles, which includes fibres, oilseeds and minerals, was recorded at 2.14% during the week under review, as against 4.05% in the week ended November 12.