Retail inflation moved up for the fifth consecutive month to 10.91% in February -- remaining in the double-digit terrain for third month in a row -- on account of higher prices of vegetables, edible oil, cereals and protein-based items.
It was 10.79% in January. The inflation crossed doubled digit mark in December at 10.56%, against 9.90% in November.
The vegetables basket in February recorded the highest inflation of 21.29% among all the constituents that make the Consumer Price Index (CPI), according to data released today.
That was followed by cereals wherein inflation was 17.04%. Egg, meat and fish became costlier by 15.72% during the month. Inflation in oils and fats segment stood at 14.56%.
Besides, pulses became dearer by 12.39% and sugar turned more expensive by 12.10% on an annual basis.
Clothing and footwear witnessed 10.87% increase in prices during the month.
In urban areas, retail inflation rose to 10.84% in February from 10.73% in the previous month. The CPI for rural population increased to 11.01% during the month from 10.88% in January.
The data for wholesale price index (WPI)-based inflation is expected on Thursday. The WPI figures for January stood at 6.62% , much higher than RBI's comfort level of 5-6%.
