Wholesale inflation in November was down 0.32%, thanks to falling prices of food articles, oils and electricity. However, the figure was still 0.71% up as compared to the previous month, when the WPI recorded a sharp plunge of 1.21%. This increase is attributed to the month-on-month increase in the prices of pulses and vegetables, according to government data.WPI-based inflation stood at 2.16% in November, last year.Primary articles record an uptickIn November, primary articles, which account for 22.62% of the index, registered a notable rise, as the index climbed by 2.07%, from 188.2 in October to 192.1. Within this category, minerals prices increased by 4.50%, food articles by 2.50% and non-food articles by 1.28%. At the same time, crude petroleum and natural gas prices declined by 1.62% during the month, as compared to October.Fuel and power also increase The fuel and power segment also inched up marginally, with the index rising by 1.03%. Electricity prices jumped by 6.70% in November, while mineral oil prices slipped by 0.67%. Coal prices, meanwhile, showed no change from October.Manufactured productsIn contrast, prices of manufactured products, which form the largest share of the WPI basket at 64.23%, edged down slightly in November. The index dipped by 0.07% to 145.0 from 145.1 in the previous month. Of the 22 two-digit NIC groups under this category, 14 recorded price declines, seven saw increases and one remained unchanged.Price drops were seen in areas such as fabricated metal products (excluding machinery and equipment), food products, non-metallic mineral products, computer, electronic and optical products, and chemicals. Meanwhile, prices rose in segments including other manufacturing, machinery and equipment, textiles, electrical equipment and wearing apparel.Food inflationFood inflation at the wholesale level showed some moderation, though it remained negative. The WPI Food Index, with a weight of 24.38%, rose to 195.0 in November from 192.0 in October. On a year-on-year basis, food inflation stood at (-) 2.60% in November as compared with (-) 5.04% in the previous month.The next Wholesale Price Index, which will be for the month of December 2025, is scheduled to be released on January 14, next year.
