Retail inflation at 2-year high, all eyes on RBI's policy review

Retail inflation inched up to a 22-month high level of 5.77 percent in June on an increase in food prices, including that of essential kitchen staples like vegetables and cereals.   

 

With inflation remaining at an elevated level and above the 5 percent mark, the Reserve Bank's monetary policy review in August would be keenly watched as inflation targeting has been the primary objective of the apex bank.   

 

The retail inflation measured by Consumer Price Index (CPI) was marginally lower at 5.76 percent in the previous month, while it was 5.40 percent in June last year.    

 

In August 2014, consumer inflation was at 7.8 percent. 

 

The overall food inflation moved up to 7.79 percent in June from 7.47 percent in the previous month; government data showed today.   

 

Inflation in vegetables was up at 14.74 percent against 10.77 percent in May and cereals, and related products, were 3.07 percent compared to 2.59 percent in the previous month.   

 

However, the rate of price rise in pulses declined to 26.86 percent during the month while it stood at 31.57 percent in May.   

 

Protein-rich items, like meat, fish, eggs, milk saw a marginal decline in comparison to May. Inflation in fuel and light basket was 2.92 percent in June as against 2.94 percent in the previous month.   

 

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation collects data from selected towns and villages to calculate CPI-based retail inflation. 

In its bi-monthly policy released last month, RBI had maintained status quo in the above policy rate citing higher upside risks to 'inflation trajectory'.    

 

The retail inflation in rural areas was at 6.2 per cent and in urban areas, it was 5.26 percent in June, showed the data.