Consumer price inflation rises to 9.47 per cent in March

Consumer price inflation based on the consumer price index (CPI) rose to 9.47 per cent in March 2012, up from 8.33 per cent in February, provisional data released by the Central Statistical Office (CSO) showed.

The corresponding inflation rates for rural and urban areas stood at 8.79 per cent and 10.30 per cent, respectively.

Provisional annual inflation rates of March 2012 for rural, urban and combined in respect of 'food and beverages' are 7.72, 9.15 and 8.22, respectively.

The spike has been due mainly to higher prices of milk, vegetables, protein-based items and edible oil products across the country. Milk and milk product prices rose 15.22 per cent, while oils and fats turned costlier by 14.20 per cent year-on-year during the month.

Among other items, prices of cereal and its products rose 2.78 per cent over the March 2011 level while sugar saw a marginal rise of 3.78 per cent. Prices of pulses and products were up 4.89 per cent.

Prices of egg, fish and meat shot up 10.06 per cent, while non-alcoholic beverages and vegetables became costlier by 10.20 per cent and 9.55 per cent, respectively.