Delhi, 16 June (H.S.): India’s wholesale price index (WPI) inflation fell to 0.39% in May 2025, marking a 14-month low, down from 0.85% in April. This decline was attributed to easing prices across critical sectors, notably food, fuel, and primary articles. The industry ministry noted that the positive inflation rate for May was primarily due to rising manufacturing costs in food products, electricity, chemicals, and transport equipment.

WPI food inflation also decreased to 1.72% in May from 2.55% in April, signaling a reduction in wholesale food prices. The WPI food index increased slightly from 189.3 in April to 189.5 in May. Prices of primary food articles experienced a 1.56% decline in May, with significant drops noted in vegetables (-21.6%), pulses (-10.4%), potatoes (-29.4%), and onions (-14.4%). Protein-rich foods such as eggs, meat, and fish observed a 1.01% decrease for the second consecutive month. Conversely, the price increase for cereals was slower during this period, recorded at 2.56%, with paddy at 0.96% and wheat at 5.75%.

The inflation rate for primary articles declined to -2.02% in May from -1.44% in April. Core inflation, which excludes food and fuel, also reduced to 0.9% from 1.5% the previous month. Overall, the easing trends in food and primary article prices significantly contributed to the lowest WPI inflation rate recorded in over a year, reflecting a cooling off in the rate of increase across these essential categories.

WPI inflation for fuel and power recorded a deeper decline in May 2025, standing at -2.27 per cent, compared to -2.18 per cent in April. The index for this category saw a decrease of 0.95 per cent, dropping from 148.1 in April to 146.7 in May. During this timeframe, mineral oil prices dropped by 2.06 per cent, while coal and electricity prices appreciated by 0.81 per cent and 0.80 per cent, respectively.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar