Food inflation in negative zone for 3 months in a row

Crop damage a risk factor

- SANDIP DAS

RETAIL FOOD INFLATION remained in the negative zone for three consecutive months in August when it came in at (-0.69%), largely driven by subdued prices of vegetables, cereals, pulses, meat, eggs and spices. Food inflation was in the negative zone in July (-1.76%) and June (-1.01%).

The consumer food price index rose 0.64% sequentially in August compared to July. The food inflation rate was at 5.66% in August last year. The inflation in the vegetables was (-15.92%) last month, compared to (-21%) in July. However, edible oil and fruit inflation remained high at 21.24% and 11.65%, respectively, last month.