WPI inflation falls to 0.27% in Jan as food prices ease

Data shows January WPI was lower than 0.73% in Dec but higher than 0.26% in Nov 23

- Rhik Kundu

NEW DELHI Wholesale prices rose at a slower clip in January as a result of easing prices of essential commodities like food, fuel and power.

Inflation based on the wholesale price index (WPI) was 0.27% in January, compared with 0.73 % in December. But it was higher than November's 0.26%, according to data released by the commerce and industry ministry on Wednesday.

A year ago, wholesale inflation stood at 4.8%.

Wholesale inflation remained in the negative territory between April and October last year due to a fall in prices of commodities like chemicals and chemical products, electricity, textiles, basic metals, food products, paper and paper products.

Wholesale inflation entered the positive territory for the first time in seven months in November.

"Positive rate of inflation in January 2024 is primarily due to increase in prices of food articles, machinery and equipment, other manufacturing, minerals, other transport equipment etc.," the commerce ministry said.