Food inflation at 9-week low of 11.05 pc

NEW DELHI: Food inflation fell for the second straight week to a nine-week low of 11.05 per cent for the week ended February 5 as pulses, wheat and potato prices declined.

Food inflation fell by 2.02 percentage points during the week ended February 5 from 13.07 per cent in the week ended January 29.

On an annual basis, prices of potatoes declined by 13.63 per cent, while pulses became 5.88 per cent cheaper and wheat 2.54 per cent less expensive, data released by the government showed.

However, on the whole, vegetables became nearly 24 per cent costlier during the week ended February 5, pushed up mainly by a 31.33 per cent increase in onion prices.

Furthermore, fruit and milk prices rose by 12.21 per cent and 11.66 per cent, respectively, while egg, meat and fish became 15.14 per cent dearer on an annual basis.

At 11.05 per cent during the week ended February 5, food inflation was at its lowest level since December 4, 2010, when it stood at 9.46 per cent.