India’s annual Wholesale Price Index (WPI) inflation eased to 2.31% in January 2025 from 2.37% in December 2024, according to data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Friday.

Month-over-month, the WPI declined by 0.45% in January, driven by lower food prices. The index for primary articles fell by 2.01% as food article prices dropped by 3.62%. However, prices of crude petroleum and natural gas (6.34%), non-food articles (0.66%), and minerals (0.22%) increased.

Inflation in the fuel and power category rose by 0.47%, though coal prices remained unchanged from December.

Manufactured products, which account for 64.23% of the index, saw a marginal increase of 0.14%. Out of 22 manufacturing groups, 15 recorded price increases, five saw declines, and two remained unchanged. Sectors such as machinery, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals reported price increases, while basic metals, fabricated metal products, apparel, beverages, and transport equipment saw declines.

The WPI Food Index inflation dropped from 8.89% in December to 7.47% in January.

-IANS