Retail Inflation stood at 9.31 Percent in May 2013

As per the data released on 12 June 2013, Retail inflation stood at 9.31 per cent in May 2013 due to easing of prices of edible oil and protein-based items, even as vegetable prices moved up sharply. The Consumer Price Index or CPI based inflation had stood at 9.39 per cent in April. It was 10.39 per cent in March. The overall food and beverages segment saw an inflation of 10.65 per cent in May, higher than 10.61 per cent in April. The prices in the vegetables basket rose sharply by 9.78 per cent in May from 5.43 per cent in April 2013.

However, inflation in protein-based items such as egg, meat and fish declined to 12.52 per cent during May 2013, from 13.60 per cent in April. In the oils and fats segment, it was 5.49 per cent, down from 7.52 per cent in April. Among all the constituents that make up the CPI, cereals recorded the highest inflation of 16.29 per cent in May 2013.

Besides, inflation in pulses stood at 9.59 per cent and in sugar it was 9.21 per cent on an annual basis. The rate of price rise in the clothing and footwear segment stood at 9.72 per cent during the month. In urban areas, retail inflation declined to 9.65 per cent in May 2013 from 9.73 per cent in April 2013. The CPI for the rural population fell to 8.98 per cent during the reported month from 9.16 per cent in April 2013.