Retail inflation rises to 4.41% in September on dearer food items

New Delhi: Retail inflation rose to 4.41 percent in September due to costlier food items in general and beverages and pulses in particular.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) based inflation in August stood at 3.74 percent on cheaper vegetables, fruits and protein rich items, government data showed Monday.

The government revised upwards the August retail inflation to 3.74 percent from the earlier estimate of 3.66 percent.

However, the consumer inflation for the month under review has declined as against August last year when it stood at 5.63 percent.

Food inflation during the month rose to 3.88 percent from 2.20 percent in August.

Retail inflation in pulses and products category rose to 29.76 percent in September.

While the price rise in the food and beverages category almost doubled from a month earlier to 4.29 percent in September, inflation in cereals and products was also higher at 1.38 percent.

However, among other protein rich items such as meat and fish, the rate of price rise has slowed to 5.59 percent.

Likewise, milk and its products were also cheaper in September with inflation rate at 5.05 percent.

During the month, eggs also turned cheaper with 1.19 percent price rise. However, the rate of price growth for 'cereals and products' was faster at 1.38 percent.

As per the data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI), inflation in sugar and confectionery category remained in negative zone at (-) 12.91 percent.

The price rise in spices category was higher at 9.27 percent and for non-alcoholic beverages at 4.32 percent.

Break-wise; retail inflation rose to 5.05 percent for rural segment in September and for urban sector it was at 3.61 percent.