WPI inflation contracts 0.58% in July, food prices spike

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The wholesale price-based inflation contracted 0.58 percent in July, even as food items turned costlier. WPI inflation in June was at (-) 1.81 percent, while for the month of May and April it was (-) 3.37 percent and (-) 1.57 percent respectively.

"The annual rate of inflation, based on monthly WPI (Wholesale Price Index), stood at (- 0.58 percent) (provisional) for the month of July, 2020 as compared to 1.17 percent during the corresponding month of the previous year," the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement.

Inflation in food articles during July stood at 4.08 percent, as against 2.04 percent in June.

However, fuel and power basket inflation fell 9.84 percent in July, compared to 13.60 percent in the previous month.

Manufactured products, however, witnessed inflation of 0.51 percent in July, as against 0.08 percent in June.

The RBI in its policy review last week, kept interest rates unchaged and said it sees an upside risk to inflation. The apex bank expects retail inflation to moderate in October-March period.

July retail inflation was at 6.93 percent, as against 6.23 percent in June.

(With PTI inputs)