The wholesale price-based inflation shot up to over an eight-year high of 7.39 per cent in March on rising crude oil and metal prices.

Also, the low base of March last year, when the data was computed with a low response rate due to the nationwide lockdown, contributed to a spike in inflation in March 2021.

The WPI inflation was 4.17 per cent in February and 0.42 per cent in March 2020.

This is the third straight month of up-tick seen in the wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation.

"The annual rate of inflation stood at 7.39 per cent (provisional) for March 2021 over March 2020," the Commerce and Industry Ministry said.

Such a high level of WPI was last recorded in October 2012, when inflation was 7.4 per cent.

Inflation in food articles in March was 3.24 per cent as prices of pulses, fruits and paddy hardened.

In vegetables, the rate of price rise was (-) 5.19 per cent, compared to (-) 2.90 per cent in the previous month.

Inflation in pulses was 13.14 per cent in March, while in fruits it was 16.33 per cent.

Inflation in the fuel and power basket was 10.25 per cent in March, against 0.58 per cent in February, mainly on account of rising prices of petrol and diesel.

"The prices of crude oil, petroleum products and basic metal substantially increased in March 2021 as compared to the corresponding month of last year. Also, due to nationwide lockdown, the WPI index for March 2020 was computed with a relatively low response rate," the commerce ministry said while releasing the data.

Retail inflation, as per data released earlier this week, rose to a 4-month high of 5.52 per cent in March.

The RBI in its monetary policy earlier this month kept policy rates unchanged and said it will maintain an accommodative monetary policy stance to support growth and keep inflation at the targeted level.

It projected retail inflation at 5.2 per cent in the June quarter.

The wholesale price-based inflation shot up to over an eight-year high of 7.39 per cent in March on rising crude oil and metal prices. Also, the low base of March last year, when the data was computed with a low response rate due to the nationwide lockdown, contributed to a spike in inflation in March 2021.

The wholesale price-based inflation shot up to over an eight-year high of 7.39 per cent in March on rising crude oil and metal prices. Also, the low base of March last year, when the data was computed with a low response rate due to the nationwide lockdown, contributed to a spike in inflation in March 2021. The WPI inflation was 4.17 per cent in February and 0.42 per cent in March 2020. This is the third straight month of up-tick seen in the wholesale price index (WPI) based inflation. "The annual rate of inflation stood at 7.39 per cent (provisional) for March 2021 over March 2020," the Commerce and Industry Ministry said. Such a high level of WPI was last recorded in October 2012, when inflation was 7.4 per cent. Inflation in food articles in March was 3.24 per cent as prices of pulses, fruits and paddy hardened. In vegetables, the rate of price rise was (-) 5.19 per cent, compared to (-) 2.90 per cent in the previous month. Inflation in pulses was 13.14 per cent in March, while in fruits it was 16.33 per cent. Inflation in the fuel and power basket was 10.25 per cent in March, against 0.58 per cent in February, mainly on account of rising prices of petrol and diesel. "The prices of crude oil, petroleum products and basic metal substantially increased in March 2021 as compared to the corresponding month of last year. Also, due to nationwide lockdown, the WPI index for March 2020 was computed with a relatively low response rate," the commerce ministry said while releasing the data. Retail inflation, as per data released earlier this week, rose to a 4-month high of 5.52 per cent in March. The RBI in its monetary policy earlier this month kept policy rates unchanged and said it will maintain an accommodative monetary policy stance to support growth and keep inflation at the targeted level. It projected retail inflation at 5.2 per cent in the June quarter.

India wholesale price-based inflation spikes to over 8-year high of 7.39% in March

The Wholesale price-based inflation (WPI) in February rose to its 27-month high to 4.17 per cent as against 2.03 per cent a month ago in January.

Wholesale prices in February this year raised on the back of rising food prices and manufactured goods.&nbsp;

The WPI inflation was 2.03 per cent in January and 2.26 per cent in February last year.

"The rate of inflation, based on monthly WPI, stood at (4.17 per cent) (provisional) for the month of February 2021 (over February 2020, as compared to 2.26 per cent) during the corresponding month of the previous year," a Ministry of Commerce and Industry statement on WPI said.

On a segment basis, prices of primary articles, which constitute 22.62 per cent of the WPI`s total weightage, inflated by 1.82 per cent from (-) 2.24 per cent in January.

Besides, the WPI food index rose to 3.31 per cent from (-) 0.26 per cent reported for January 2020.

The prices of manufactured items remained at elevated levels with a rise of 5.81 per cent from 5.13 per cent reported for January 2020.

On the same note, the prices of fuel and power with a weightage of 13.15 per cent rose 0.58 per cent from (-) 4.78 per cent in January 2020.

"The index for this (fuel and power) major group increased by (4.51 per cent) to 104.2 (provisional) in February 2021 from 99.7 (provisional) for the month of January 2021. Prices of Mineral Oils (8.88 per cent) increased in February 2021 as compared to January 2021," the statement said.

"Prices of Electricity (-0.43 per cent) declined in February 2021 as compared to January 2021. Prices of coal remain unchanged."

(With inputs from agencies)

The Wholesale price-based inflation (WPI) in February rose to its 27-month high to 4.17 per cent as against 2.03 per cent a month ago in January. Wholesale prices in February this year raised on the back of rising food prices and manufactured goods.

The Wholesale price-based inflation (WPI) in February rose to its 27-month high to 4.17 per cent as against 2.03 per cent a month ago in January. Wholesale prices in February this year raised on the back of rising food prices and manufactured goods. The WPI inflation was 2.03 per cent in January and 2.26 per cent in February last year. "The rate of inflation, based on monthly WPI, stood at (4.17 per cent) (provisional) for the month of February 2021 (over February 2020, as compared to 2.26 per cent) during the corresponding month of the previous year," a Ministry of Commerce and Industry statement on WPI said. On a segment basis, prices of primary articles, which constitute 22.62 per cent of the WPI`s total weightage, inflated by 1.82 per cent from (-) 2.24 per cent in January. Besides, the WPI food index rose to 3.31 per cent from (-) 0.26 per cent reported for January 2020. The prices of manufactured items remained at elevated levels with a rise of 5.81 per cent from 5.13 per cent reported for January 2020. On the same note, the prices of fuel and power with a weightage of 13.15 per cent rose 0.58 per cent from (-) 4.78 per cent in January 2020. "The index for this (fuel and power) major group increased by (4.51 per cent) to 104.2 (provisional) in February 2021 from 99.7 (provisional) for the month of January 2021. Prices of Mineral Oils (8.88 per cent) increased in February 2021 as compared to January 2021," the statement said. "Prices of Electricity (-0.43 per cent) declined in February 2021 as compared to January 2021. Prices of coal remain unchanged." (With inputs from agencies)

India's February WPI inflation at 27-month high, rises to 4.17%

Wholesale price-based inflation slipped to 22-month low at 2.45 per cent in May helped by falling prices of food articles, fuel and power items, according to an official data released Friday.

The Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation was at 3.07 per cent in April. It was 4.78 per cent in May 2018.

Inflation in food articles basket was 6.99 per cent, down from 7.37 per cent in April.

However, onion prices spiked during the month with inflation at 15.89 per cent, as against (-) 3.43 per cent in April.

Vegetables inflation eased to 33.15 per cent in May, down from 40.65 per cent in the previous month. Inflation in potato was (-) 23.36 per cent, against (-) 17.15 per cent in April.

WPI inflation in May is the lowest in 22 months, since July 2017, when it was at 1.88 per cent.

Inflation in 'fuel and power' category cooled to 0.98 per cent, from 3.84 per cent last month. Manufactured items too saw decline in prices with inflation at 1.28 per cent in May, against 1.72 per cent in April.

WPI inflation data for March has been revised downwards to 3.10 per cent from provisional 3.18 per cent.

Data released earlier this week showed retail inflation spiked to a 7-month high of 3.05 per cent in May on costlier vegetables, and protein-rich items.

The Reserve Bank, which mainly factors in retail inflation for monetary policy decision, on June 6, lowered its benchmark lending rate to a nearly 9-year low of 5.75 per cent, even as it upped its inflation projection to 3-3.1 per cent for the first half of 2019-20.

Flagging uncertain monsoon, unseasonal spike in vegetable prices, crude oil prices, financial market volatility and fiscal scenario as risks to inflation, the RBI projected upward bias in food inflation in near term.&nbsp;

Wholesale price-based inflation slipped to 22-month low at 2.45 per cent in May helped by falling prices of food articles, fuel and power items, according to an official data released Friday.

Wholesale price-based inflation slipped to 22-month low at 2.45 per cent in May helped by falling prices of food articles, fuel and power items, according to an official data released Friday. The Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation was at 3.07 per cent in April. It was 4.78 per cent in May 2018. Inflation in food articles basket was 6.99 per cent, down from 7.37 per cent in April. However, onion prices spiked during the month with inflation at 15.89 per cent, as against (-) 3.43 per cent in April. Vegetables inflation eased to 33.15 per cent in May, down from 40.65 per cent in the previous month. Inflation in potato was (-) 23.36 per cent, against (-) 17.15 per cent in April. WPI inflation in May is the lowest in 22 months, since July 2017, when it was at 1.88 per cent. Inflation in 'fuel and power' category cooled to 0.98 per cent, from 3.84 per cent last month. Manufactured items too saw decline in prices with inflation at 1.28 per cent in May, against 1.72 per cent in April. WPI inflation data for March has been revised downwards to 3.10 per cent from provisional 3.18 per cent. Data released earlier this week showed retail inflation spiked to a 7-month high of 3.05 per cent in May on costlier vegetables, and protein-rich items. The Reserve Bank, which mainly factors in retail inflation for monetary policy decision, on June 6, lowered its benchmark lending rate to a nearly 9-year low of 5.75 per cent, even as it upped its inflation projection to 3-3.1 per cent for the first half of 2019-20. Flagging uncertain monsoon, unseasonal spike in vegetable prices, crude oil prices, financial market volatility and fiscal scenario as risks to inflation, the RBI projected upward bias in food inflation in near term.

WPI inflation at nearly 2-year low at 2.45% in May