The wholesale price index (WPI) increased to 2.61 per cent in May, the third month in a row. In May 2023, the WPI stood at 1.26 per cent a month ago, data released by the Commerce & Industry Ministry showed today.

“Positive rate of inflation in May, 2024 is primarily due to increase in prices of food articles, manufacture of food products, crude petroleum & natural gas, mineral oils, other manufacturing, etc.,” the press release said.

Vegetables had the highest incidence of inflation in May, 32.42 per cent. Potato inflation was 64.05 per cent, followed by onion at 58.05 per cent. Pulses cost 21.95 per cent more in May. There was, however, a decline in the prices of non-food articles (-3.99 per cent) and oil seeds (-4.98).

In the fuel and power basket, the WPI inflation was 1.35 per cent in May, slightly less than 1.38 per cent in April. In manufactured products, inflation was at 0.78 per cent.