Retail inflation slows down in November
Deccan ChronicleNew Delhi: With the significant easing of food prices, especially vegetables, India’s retail inflation slowed to 5.48 per cent in November as compared to 6.21 per cent in October. “But the CPI-based headline inflation increased from an average of 3.6 per cent during July-August to 5.5 per cent in September and further to 6.2 per cent in October 2024, the highest in more than a year since September 2023,” the NSO data said. However, experts said that the recent moderation in vegetable prices attributed to a bumper summer crop supported by favourable monsoon rains, expecting that strong monsoon conditions, adequate reservoir levels, and higher minimum support prices are likely to boost winter crop production, further easing food inflation in the months ahead. However, Aditi Nayar, chief economist of ICRA Limited said that led by food inflation, the CPI inflation expectedly eased to 5.5 per cent in November, falling back within the medium-term target range and offering a dose of relief.