Consumer price inflation hits a 16-month high of 5.69% in January

Consumer price inflation in the country based on the consumer price index touched a 16-month high of 5.69 per cent in January, pushed higher by costlier food items.

Retail inflation, as measured by the CPI stood at 5.61 per cent in December 2015 and 5.19 per cent in January 2015.
 
The pace of retail price rise in January 2016 is the highest since the 6.46 per cent recorded in September 2014. Food inflation, as measured by consumer food price index (CFPI), quickened to 6.85 per cent in the first month of 2016, data released by the Central Statistics Office showed.

Retail prices of 'cereals and products' inched up by 2.19 per cent in January, from 2.12 per cent in December 2015 on higher prices of meat, fish and eggs.

However, prices of seasonal fruits witnessed deflation during the month, with a fall of (-) 0.24 per cent.

But vegetable prices moved up fairly at 6.39 per cent as prices of 'pulses and its products' continued to stay elevated.

The inflation rates, based on CPI for rural areas, stood at 6.48 per cent in January, while that for urban areas was 4.81 per cent.