Retail inflation slows to 18-month low of 2.19% in December on decline in vegetables, fuel prices; meat, pulses rate up

New Delhi: Retail inflation declined to an 18-month low of 2.19 percent in December 2018 mainly on account of sliding prices of fruits, vegetables and fuel. The inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 2.33 percent in November and 5.21 percent in December 2017. [caption id=“attachment_4201927” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters.[/caption] The previous low inflation was 1.46 percent in June 2017. According to the data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, food inflation remained in the negative zone at 2.51 percent as compared to (-) 2.61 percent in the November. The rate of price rise in vegetables, fruits and protein-rich eggs continued to decline. However, there was a marginal increase in prices of meat, fish, and pulses. Fuel and light inflation was 4.54 percent in December, down from 7.39 percent in November on back of reduction in prices of petrol and diesel. Another data released earlier in the day showed that inflation based on wholesale prices fell to an eight-month low of 3.80 percent in December, 2018, on softening prices of fuel and some food items. The Wholesale Price Index-based inflation stood at 4.64 percent in November 2018 and 3.58 percent in December 2017.     To keep watching India’s No. 1 English Business News Channel – CNBC-TV18, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family Pack (inclusive of 24 channels), available for Rs. 35/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 4/- per day. To keep watching the Leader in Global Market & Business News – CNBC-TV18 Prime HD, call your Cable or DTH Operator and ask for the Colors Family HD Pack (inclusive of 25 channels), available for Rs. 50/- per month, or subscribe to the channel for Rs. 1/- per day.