Inflation in primary items rises, wholesale price inflation declines marginally
New Delhi, Aug 14: India’s wholesale price inflation was 9.78 per cent year-on-year in July 2026, marginally less than 9.87 per cent in June, according to provisional data.
The 9-basis-point decline was largely due to sharp moderation in fuel and power inflation.
But price pressures across manufacturing and primary articles remained elevated.
Inflation in primary articles rose to 8.52 per cent in July from 7 per cent in June, reflecting higher price pressures across several components.
Food articles recorded inflation of 5.44 per cent, while minerals and non-food articles registered inflation of 13.28 per cent and 17.66 per cent, respectively.
Fuel and power inflation fell to 20.05 per cent in July from 27.41 per cent in June, providing some relief to overall wholesale price pressures.
The segment had recorded inflation of 30.33 per cent in May, indicating that the pace of price increases has moderated for the second consecutive month.
Inflation in manufactured products increased to 8.29 per cent in July from 7.48 per cent in June, with chemical products, basic metals and electrical equipment among the major contributors.
The data pointed to continued pressure from higher industrial input costs.
Inflation in the manufacture of chemical and chemical products stood at 13.12 per cent, while basic metals and electrical equipment recorded inflation of 12.56 per cent and 12.34 per cent, respectively.
WPI and CPI
The wholesale price inflation data comes after consumer price inflation figures released on August 12 showed retail inflation at 4.45 per cent year-on-year in July 2026.
The Consumer Price Index-based measure uses 2024 as its base year and compares prices with the corresponding month of the previous year.
Retail inflation was higher in rural areas at 4.84 per cent, while urban inflation stood at 3.96 per cent during July.
The gap between wholesale and consumer inflation highlights the different price pressures faced by producers, businesses and households across the economy. (BVI)
