Food inflation rises to 9.41pc; matter of concern, says Pranab

New Delhi, Oct 7: Food inflation rose to 9.41 per cent for the week ended September 24 on the back of costlier vegetables, fruits, milk and protein-based items. Food inflation, as measured by Wholesale Price Index (WPI), stood at 9.13 per cent in the previous week.

The rate of price rise in food items was 16.88 per cent in the corresponding week of 2010. As per data from the Ministry of Commerce, vegetables became dearer by 14.88 per cent year-on-year during the week under review, while potatoes and onions grew more expensive by 9.34 per cent and 10.58 per cent, respectively.

Fruit prices went up by 11.72 per cent, while milk was up 10.35 per cent and eggs, meat and fish became 10.33 per cent more expensive. Cereals became dearer by 4.57 per cent and pulses were up 7.54 per cent on an annual basis during the seven-day period.

"Inflation is definitely a matter of concern. We shall have to see how to bring it down to a moderate level. I am constantly in touch with the RBI," Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told reporters here. The monsoon was normal this year and the government had earlier exuded hope this would bring down food prices.

Overall, inflation in primary articles stood at 10.84 per cent during the week under review, compared to 11.43 per cent in the previous week. Primary articles have a share of over 20 per cent in the WPI.

PTI