Wholesale price-based inflation unchanged at 1.08% in August, shows government data

"Build up inflation rate in the financial year so far was 1.25% compared to a build up rate of 3.27% in the corresponding period of the previous year," read a government statement.

The index for this major group rose by 1.3 percent to 143.9 (provisional) from 142.1 (provisional) for the previous month. The groups and items which showed variations during the month are as follows:-

The index for 'Food Articles' group rose by 1.4% to 155.9 (provisional) from 153.7 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of betel leaves, condiments & spices and jowar (4% each), ragi, barley, fruits & vegetables and pork (3% each), fish-inland, wheat, arhar, maize and beef and buffalo meat (2% each) and fish-marine, milk, peas/chawali, rajma, paddy and mutton (1% each). However, the price of egg (7%), tea (2%) and poultry chicken and gram (1% each) declined.

The index for ' Non-Food Articles' group rose by 0.9% to 129.9 (provisional) from 128.8 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of floriculture (14%), linseed (4%), sunflower and safflower (kardi seed) (3% each), gingelly seed (sesamum), copra (coconut) and groundnut seed (2% each) and mesta, rape & mustard seed and soyabean (1% each).

However, the price of hides (raw) and raw rubber (4% each), niger seed (3%), raw cotton (2%) and fodder (1%) declined.

The index for 'Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas' group rose by 1.4 percent to 88.1 (provisional) from 86.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of natural gas (3%) and crude petroleum (1%).

The index for this major group rose by 0.1% to 100.7 (provisional) from 100.6 (provisional) for the previous month. The groups and items which showed variations during the month are as follows:-

The index for 'Mineral Oils' group rose by 0.1% to 91.5 (provisional) from 91.4 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of bitumen (9%), furnace oil (4%) and ATF and kerosene (3% each).

However, the price of LPG (11%) and petroleum coke (2%) declined.

The index for this major group declined by 0.3% to 117.8 (provisional) from 118.1 (provisional) for the previous month. The groups and items which showed variations during the month are as follows:-

The index for 'Manufacture of Food Products' group rose by 1.1% to 132.4 (provisional) from 130.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of molasses (6%), manufacture of health supplements (5%), rice bran oil and spices (including mixed spices) (4% each), maida and rapeseed oil (3% each), butter, sooji (rawa ), sugar, sunflower oil, groundnut oil and salt (2% each) and cotton seed oil, ice cream, wheat flour (atta), powder milk, palm oil, instant coffee, manufacture of prepared animal feeds, processing and preserving of fish, crustaceans and molluscs and products thereof, rice, non-basmati, ghee, castor oil, manufacture of cocoa, chocolate and sugar confectionery, rice products and soyabean oil (1% each).

However, the price of other meats, preserved/processed (4%), buffalo meat, fresh/frozen (3%), processed tea and chicken/duck, dressed - fresh/frozen (2% each) and basmati rice, manufacture of processed ready to eat food, gram powder (besan) and manufacture of macaroni, noodles, couscous and similar farinaceous products (1% each) declined.

The index for 'Manufacture of Beverages' group rose by 0.6% to 124.0 (provisional) from 123.2 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of spirits (2%) and country liquor, rectified spirit and aerated drinks/soft drinks (incl. soft drink concentrates) (1% each).

However, the price of beer (1%) declined.

The index for 'Manufacture of Tobacco Products' group rose by 0.2% to 153.9 (provisional) from 153.6 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of cigarette (2%). However, the price of other tobacco products (2%) declined.

The index for 'Manufacture of Textiles' group declined by 0.8% to 118.3 (provisional) from 119.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of texturised and twisted yarn, weaving & finishing of textiles, cotton yarn, manufacture of other textiles and synthetic yarn (1% each).

The index for 'Manufacture of Wearing Apparel' group declined by 0.6% to 136.3 (provisional) from 137.1 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of manufacture of wearing apparel (woven) and except fur apparel (1% each).

The index for 'Manufacture of Leather and Related Products' group rose by 0.8% to 119.3 (provisional) from 118.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of chrome tanned leather (3%), waterproof footwear (2%), belt & other articles of leather (1%). However, the price of plastic/pvc chappals (1%), vegetable tanned leather (1%) declined.

The index for 'Manufacture of Wood and of Products of Wood and Cork ' group declined by 0.1% to 134.1 (provisional) from 134.2 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of wooden splint (8%), timber/wooden plank, sawn/resawn (5%), wooden board (non-electrical), wood cutting, processed/sized (2% each) and wooden box/crate (1%). However, the price of lamination wooden sheets/veneer sheets (3%) and wooden block - compressed or not (1%) moved up.

The index for 'Manufacture of Paper and Paper Products' group declined by 0.7% to 121.5 (provisional) from 122.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of paper bag including craft paper bag (7%), map litho paper and paper for printing & writing (2% each) and newsprint, laminated plastic sheet, corrugated sheet box, card board and bristle paper board (1% each). However, the price of press board (4%), corrugated paper board (3%), hard board (2%) and base paper and pulp board (1% each) moved up.

The index for 'Printing and Reproduction of Recorded Media ' group rose by 0.6% to 151.0 (provisional) from 150.1 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of sticker plastic (6%) and journal/periodical (2%). However, the price of printed form & schedule (5%) declined.

The index for 'Manufacture of Chemicals and Chemical Products' group declined by 0.4% to 118.3 (provisional) from 118.8 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of sulphuric acid (8%), caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) (7%), hydrogen peroxide (5%), phthalic anhydride and menthol (4% each), gelatine and mono ethyl glycol (3% each), di ammonium phosphate, toilet soap, tooth paste/tooth powder, organic surface active agent, mosquito coil, agro chemical formulation, ammonium sulphate, ammonium phosphate, adhesive excluding gum, ammonia gas, ammonia liquid , ethylene oxide and plasticizer (2% each) and creams & lotions for external application, foundry chemical, printing ink, organic chemicals, polyester chips or polyethylene terepthalate (pet) chips, adhesive tape (non-medicinal), varnish (all types), acrylic fibre, polyester fibre fabric, carbon black, insecticide and pesticide, fatty acid, camphor, explosive, paint, polyester film(metalized), alcohols and soda ash/washing soda (1% each).

However, the price of oleoresin (6%), aromatic chemicals and face/body powder (5% each), acetic acid and its derivatives (4%), nitrogenous fertilizer, others, sodium silicate, other petrochemical intermediates and phosphoric acid (2% each) and poly propylene (PP), catalysts, ammonium nitrate, shampoo, additive, hair oil/body oil, XLPE compound, powder coating material, mixed fertilizer, agarbatti, dye stuff/dyes incl. dye intermediates and pigments/colours and ethyl acetate (1% each) moved up.

The index for 'Manufacture of Pharmaceuticals, Medicinal Chemical and Botanical Products' group declined by 0.6% to 125.4 (provisional) from 126.2 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of anti cancer drugs (16%), anti inflammatory preparation (14%), plastic capsules (4%), simvastatin (3%) and antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory formulations (2%). However, the price of anti-retroviral drugs for HIV treatment, anti-malarial drugs (2% each) and cotton wool (medicinal), anti allergic drugs, vials/ampoule, glass, empty or filled and antibiotics & preparations thereof (1% each) moved up.

The index for 'Manufacture of Rubber and Plastics Products' group declined by 0.9% to 108.2 (provisional) from 109.2 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of plastic box/container (4%), plastic components (3%), plastic bag, processed rubber, polyester film (non-metalized), cycle/cycle rickshaw tyre, polythene film and plastic film (2% each) and rubber crumb, plastic tape, acrylic/plastic sheet, rubber tread and PVC fittings & other accessories (1% each).

However, the price of conveyer belt (fibre based) and rubber cloth/sheet (4% each), rubber moulded goods (3%), plastic furniture, condoms and polypropylene film (2% each) and elastic webbing, plastic tube (flexible/non-flexible), plastic tank, tooth brush, plastic button and motor car tyre (1% each) moved up.

The index for 'Manufacture of Basic Metals' group declined by 2.3% to 104.8 (provisional) from 107.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of pig iron (7%), sponge iron/direct reduced iron (DRI) (6%), angles, channels, sections, steel (coated/not) and alloy steel wire rods (5% each), stainless steel pencil ingots/billets/slabs, GP/GC sheet (4% each), MS pencil ingots, hot rolled (HR) coils & sheets, including narrow strip, stainless steel coils, strips & sheets and mild steel (MS) blooms (3% each), cold rolled (CR) coils & sheets, including narrow strip, MS castings, MS bright bars, stainless steel bars & rods, including flats, stainless steel tubes and MS wire rods (2% each) and zinc metal/zinc blocks, other ferro alloys, brass metal/sheet/coils, aluminium ingot, alumnium foil, aluminium castings, copper metal/copper rings, cast iron, castings, aluminium metal and aluminium alloys (1% each).

However, the price of ferrochrome, steel forgings-rough, ferromanganese, copper shapes - bars/rods/plates/strips, alloy steel castings and rails (1% each) moved up.

The index for 'Manufacture of Fabricated Metal Products, Except Machinery and Equipment' group declined by 0.6% to 114.1 (provisional) from 114.8 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of hand tools and iron/steel hinges (4% each), bolts, screws, nuts & nails of iron & steel (2%) and hose pipes in set or otherwise, electrical stamping- laminated or otherwise, bracket, steel pipes, tubes & poles and steel structures (1% each). However, the price of lock/padlock (4%), copper bolts, screws, nuts (2%) and pressure cooker, cylinders and forged steel rings (1% each) moved up.

The index for 'Manufacture of Computer, Electronic and Optical Products' group declined by 0.2% to 111.2 (provisional) from 111.4 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of electro-diagnostic apparatus, used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences (4%), meter (non-electrical) (2%) and colour TV and capacitors (1% each). However, the price of electronic printed circuit board (PCB)/micro circuit (3%), watch (2%) and air conditioner (1%) moved up.

The index for 'Manufacture of Electrical Equipment' group declined by 0.2% to 111.1 (provisional) from 111.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of fibre optic cables (8%), solenoid valve (3%), light fitting accessories, incandescent lamps and transformer (2% each) and dry cells such as torch light batteries, flourescent tube, jelly filled cables, AC motor, rotor/magneto rotor assembly, fan, electric filament type lamps, generators & alternators and electrical relay/conductor (1% each).

However, the price of electric switch (7%), connector/plug/socket/holder-electric (4%), aluminium/alloy conductor (3%), electrical resistors (except heating resistors) and air coolers (2% each) and PVC insulated cable, copper wire, electric switch gear control/starter, insulating & flexible wire and washing machines/laundry machines (1% each) moved up.

The index for 'Manufacture of Machinery and Equipment' group declined by 0.4% to 113.1 (provisional) from 113.5 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of dumper (12%), rice mill machinery (8%), conveyors - non-roller type and gasket kit (5% each), pressure vessel and tank for fermentation & other food processing (4%), open end spinning machinery (3%), pharmaceutical machinery (2%) and pump sets without motor, air or vacuum pump, hydraulic pump, precision machinery equipment/form tools, threshers and mining, quarrying & metallurgical machinery/parts (1% each).

However, the price of packing machine (5%), chillers (4%), roller and ball bearings, separator and manufacture of bearings, gears, gearing and driving elements (2% each) and air gas compressor including compressor for refrigerator, harvesters, injection pump, soil preparation & cultivation machinery (other than tractors), deep freezers, agricultural tractors, motor starter and furnaces & ovens (1% each) moved up.

The index for 'Manufacture of Motor Vehicles, Trailers and Semi-Trailers' group declined by 0.4% to 113.5 (provisional) from 114.0 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of shafts of all kinds (3%), seat for motor vehicles and passenger vehicles (2% each) and minibus/bus, axles of motor vehicles, brake pad/brake liner/brake block/brake rubber, others, piston ring/piston and compressor and chassis of different vehicle types (1% each).

However, the price of cylinder liners (3%) and engine and crankshaft (1% each) moved up.

The index for 'Manufacture of Other Transport Equipment' group rose by 1.0% to 117.6 (provisional) from 116.4 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of scooters (2%), motor cycles (1%). However, the price of tanker (1%) declined.

The index for 'Manufacture of Furniture' group rose by 2.1% to 131.4 (provisional) from 128.7 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of foam and rubber mattress (12%), hospital furniture (2%).

The index for 'Other Manufacturing' group rose by 1.8% to 110.3 (provisional) from 108.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of silver (6%), non mechanical toys (4%), gold & gold ornaments (2%) and cricket ball, cricket bat, sports goods of rubber (incl. balls) and plastic moulded-others toys (1% each). However, the price of stringed musical instruments (incl. santoor, guitars, etc.), football and playing cards (1% each) declined.

The rate of inflation based on WPI Food Index consisting of ‘Food Articles’ from Primary Articles group and ‘Food Product’ from Manufactured Products group increased from 4.54% in July, 2019 to 5.75% in August, 2019.