
Amid a rise in prices in September, vegetable prices appeared to pinch household budgets the most, with limited respite expected in October. According to data published on Monday, India’s retail inflation accelerated to 5.5% in September, compared to 3.65% last month.
Food and beverage prices rose to a four-month high of 8.36% in September, compared to a 5.3% rise in August. Vegetable prices led the rise, rising 35.99% year-on-year from 10.7% in August. On a sequential basis, vegetable prices rose by 3.5% from a month ago.
Prices for key vegetables—potatoes, onions, and tomatoes—continued to climb amid rainfall and supply disruptions. On a sequential basis, potatoes and tomatoes saw some easing in prices while onions saw a spike.
Other vegetables too saw a rise, with brinjal, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, parwal, peas, spinach, and other leafy vegetables recording inflation at over 20%. The rise in vegetables was across the board.
The impact of import duty hikes led to a sequential uptick in edible oil prices, while prices of garlic too saw a rise of over 70% on an annual basis. Pulses prices did provide some relief, easing from previous levels, while remaining elevated.