Guwahati: India's wholesale inflation, as measured by the wholesale price index (WPI), dropped to a 21-month low of 5.85 percent in November from 8.39 percent in September, according to data issued by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.

The WPI stayed below the double-digit threshold for a second consecutive month. Prior to it, from April 2021 to September 2022, the WPI print was over the double-digit threshold for 18 consecutive months.

The statistics indicated that the WPI for the month of September was changed from 10.70% to 10.55%. In November 2021, the WPI was 14.87%.

According to a report from the commerce ministry, the decline in the rate of inflation in November 2022 was principally caused by lower prices for food items, basic metals, textiles, chemicals & chemical products, and paper & paper products compared to the same month the previous year.

The report revealed that in November, the category for food products dropped to 1.07 percent. It was 8.33 percent in the previous month. The decrease in the cost of vegetables, onions, and fruits is responsible for the month-over-month relaxation.

In contrast to an increase of 17.61% in October, vegetable prices decreased (-)20.08% last month, according to the statistics. Prices for fruits dropped (-)1.07% in November from 0.23% in October, while prices for onions decreased (-)19.19% from (-)30.02% in October.

The report also revealed a decrease in potato prices from 44.97% to 13.75% and a decrease in paddy prices from 6.63% to 6.45% last month. Eggs, meat, and fish saw a decrease of 2.27 percent from 3.97 percent a month before.

On the other hand, cereal prices increased last month from 12.03 percent to 12.85 percent. Wheat's percentage increased to 18.11% from 16.25% during this time, and milk's increased to 6.03% from 5.53%.

The gasoline and electricity category decreased from 23.17 percent in October to 17.35 percent last month. LPG prices decreased (-)13.40% from 4.82% one month prior, HSD (High-Speed Diesel) prices fell to 42.10% from 43.05%, and gasoline prices decreased to 14.11% from 25.02%.

From 4.42 percent a month earlier, the manufactured products category fell to 3.59 percent in November.

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