11 February,2010 02:17 PM IST | | IANS
Food inflation based on wholesale prices rose to 17.94 per cent for the week ended January 30 from 17.56 per cent the week before, according to official data released on Thursday.
Prices of essential items kept rising with vegetables dearer by 20.93 per cent, potatoes 40.57 per cent, pulses 41.24 per cent and fruits 8.67 per cent during the 52-week period.
The limited data on the wholesale index released by the commerce and industry ministry further showed rise in index for primary articles by 15.75 per cent while that for fuels rose 10.44 per cent.
Overall inflation rate, based on the wholesale prices index, had risen sharply to 7.31 per cent in December from 4.78 per cent the previous month mainly on account of higher food prices.
The price rise of some essential food items over the 52-week period:
Potatoes: 40.57 pc
Pulses: 41.24 pc
Cereals: 12.15 pc
Rice: 9.90 pc
Milk: 14.16 pc
Wheat: 15.47 pc
Vegetables: 20.93 pc
Fruits: 8.67 pc
