Food inflation fell to a three-week low of 7.58% for the week ended July 9 on the back of cheaper pulse prices and a high base last year.
Food inflation, as measured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) stood at 8.31% in the previous week. It was as high as 19.52% in the corresponding week of July, 2010, suggesting a high base.
As per data released by the government today, prices of pulses went down by 7.67% on a year-on-year basis. However, prices of other food items continued to rise.
The data comes a day after the government said that pressure from headline inflation would remain till December on account of high international commodity prices.
Headline inflation stood at 9.44% in June. It has remained consistently above the 9% mark since December, 2010.
During the week ended July 9, onions became 19.68% more expensive on an annual basis while fruits grew dearer by 15.84%.
The price of milk was up 10.76% and eggs, meat and fish grew almost 8% more expensive.
Cereals and vegetables became dearer by 4.77% and 4.31%, respectively, year-on-year.
Inflation of overall primary articles stood at 11.13% during the week under review, down from 11.58% in the previous week. Primary articles have a share of over 20% in the WPI.
Meanwhile, inflation of non-food articles was at 15.50% for the week ended July 9, compared to 15.20% in the previous week.
