Retail Inflation at 5-year high of 7.35% in December, 2019

January 14, 2020

According to the data released by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on January 13, 2020, the food inflation increased to 14.12% in December 2019 as compared to 10.01% in November 2019. The CPI (consumer Price Index) rose to 7.35% as compared to 5.54% the previous month. The inflation was increase was mainly due to vegetables

Highlights

In December 2018, the food inflation was -2.65%. Vegetable inflation in urban areas touched 75% and at the country sides it was at 53%. Onion inflation doubled as compared to the previous month. It was 128% in November and it increased to 328% in December.

Analysis

The soaring crude oil prices due to the increasing tensions between Iran and US is the major reason. In the coming Budget, GoI is expected to increase its spending largely on infrastructure and cut taxes. This might stoke inflation further.

RBI

For the first time, the inflation has breached RBI’s target inflation of 4% (±2%). Predicting the situation, RBI had kept its policy interest rates on hold in its policy review of December 2019.