Wholesale price inflation at a seven-month low of 2.48% in February

WPI inflation at 2.48% in February is the lowest in seven months. The previous low was recorded in July at 1.88%.

Inflation based on wholesale prices eased to a seven-month low of 2.48% in February on cheaper food articles, including vegetables.

A fruit seller talks on his phone in a wholesale market in Guwahati. (AP File Photo)

On the basis of the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), inflation was at 2.84% in January, and 5.51% in February 2017.

WPI inflation at 2.48% in February is the lowest in seven months. The previous low was recorded in July at 1.88%.

According to a government data released on Wednesday, inflation in food articles slowed to 0.88% in February, from 3% in the preceding month.

Inflation in vegetables softened with annual inflation at 15.26% as against 40.77% in January.

While the rate of price rise in onion slowed, it increased in the case of another kitchen essential, potato.

Inflation in pulses remained in the negative zone at -24.51%, and likewise with cereals and wheat. WPI inflation in protein rich items like egg, fish and meat too was in the negative zone.

As per the data, inflation in ‘fuel and power’ segment too eased to 3.81% in February compared to 4.08% in the previous month.

The data also showed that the rate of price rise in manufactured items was higher compared to January.

As per the data of Central Statistics Office (CSO), retail inflation measured in term of Consumer Price Index had dropped to a four-month low of 4.44% in February on cheaper food articles and lower cost for fuel.