WPI INFLATION STAYS NEGATIVE FOR 6 MTHS, MORE M-O-M FALL LIKELY AHEAD, SAYS ANALYSTS

The WPI moderated its deflation to 0.3 per cent from 0.52 per cent recorded in August, 2023, the Commerce Ministry said on Monday

- NIVEDITA MUKHERJEE

India’s inflation based on the wholesale price index (WPI) number posted 0.26 per cent in September 2023, continuing a negative run for the sixth-straight month, led by fall in prices of chemical and chemical products, mineral oils, textiles, basic metals and food.

The WPI moderated its deflation to -0.3 per cent from - 0.52 per cent recorded in August, 2023, the Commerce Ministry said on Monday. The month-over-month change in WPI for the month of September, 2023 stood at - 0.59 per cent as compared to August 2023.

The data for the month over-month change in major groups of WPI shows that the index for primary articles declined by 3.80 per cent in September 2023 as against August 2023. Prices of crude petroleum and natural gas increased 10.31 per cent and that of non-food articles 0.86 per cent in September, 2023 as compared to August, 2023. Prices of minerals fell by 4.92 per cent and food articles 6.46 per cent in September, 2023 as compared to August, 2023.