New Delhi: India's annual food inflation based on the wholesale price index stood at 17.28 percent for the week ended Jan 2, showing signs of a tempering in galloping prices, as per official statistics released Thursday.
The annual food inflation had stood at 18.22 percent the week before.
Some essential items still remained costly, with potatoes dearer by a huge 73.45 percent, pulses by 47.82 percent, and onions by 45.87 percent over a 52-week period.
The limited data on the wholesale index released by the commerce and industry ministry further showed that while primary articles became costlier by 13.82 percent, that of fuels rose 6.25 percent.
Following is the price rise of some essential food items over a 52-week period:
- Potatoes: 73.45 percent
- Pulses: 47.82 percent
- Onions: 45.87 percent
- Eggs and meat: 30.04 percent
- Cereals: 14.77 percent
- Rice: 14.03 percent
- Milk: 13.95 percent
- Wheat: 13.82 percent
- Vegetables: 7.63 percent
- Fruits: 6.18 percent
Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar had Wednesday said the soaring prices of essential commodities would start coming down in 8-10 days, adding that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would discuss the issue with the chief ministers here Jan 27.
