WPI inflation rises to 8-month high of 1.48% on pharma, metal prices

Food inflation eases but onion, potato and pulse prices firm up

The wholesale price index-based (WPI-based) inflation rate rose for the third straight month to an eight-month high of 1.48 per cent in October from 1.32 per cent in the previous month.

Economists said the WPI data enforced the case for the status quo in the Reserve Bank of India’s policy rates.

Unlike its consumer price index (CPI) counterpart, pressure did not come from food items in general.

These were manufactured products, particularly pharma and metals, that fuelled the WPI inflation rate.

Economists attributed it to a rise in demand due to festivals and after unlockdown was announced for more sectors from September onwards.

The food