Now Reading: Onion prices double, sugar and oil surge: retail inflation hits 5.54%
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Onion prices double, sugar and oil surge: retail inflation hits 5.54%
The Story in Brief
Retail inflation in India jumped to 5.54% in September, up 71 basis points from August, driven by a sharp rise in food prices. Consumer food inflation hit 7.74%, with onion prices surging 108% year-on-year. Sugar prices rose 30%, refined oil 15%, and rice 8%, according to the October Monthly Economic Review.
The inflation gap between rural and urban India widened: rural retail inflation stood at 6.08% against the city rate of 4.88%, and rural food inflation hit 8.06% compared to 7.18% in urban centres. Wholesale inflation also rose to 11.39% in September from 9.92% in August, with fuel and power prices up 25.85%.
The government review attributed the price pressure to supply-side disruptions. Onion supplies are squeezed by a depleting rabi stock and a one-month delay in the new kharif crop. Sugar prices face pressure from lower cane output, heavy rain, and red rot disease. Festive demand and tight global supply may keep prices elevated, the review cautioned.
Indian Opinion Analysis
India's retail food inflation, at 7.74% in September, is now driven by supply-side shocks hitting both farm-gate and wholesale markets. Onion prices, up 108% year-on-year, reflect a timing gap between depleting old stocks and a delayed kharif harvest. Sugar prices, up 30%, combine a poor cane crop with festive demand and tight global supply. The gap between rural (8.06%) and urban (7.18%) food inflation deepens household distress where food consumes a larger share of expenditure. The October Monthly Economic Review, which supplies all these figures, warns that rising wholesale prices, fuel and power are up 25.85%, will keep retail costs elevated through the festive season.
Source: aajtak.in
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
