The wholesale inflation rate in the country has increased for the fourth consecutive month. According to government data, the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) based inflation increased to 2.13% in February 2026. This increase was mainly due to increase in prices of food and non-food items, although there was some month-on-month moderation in vegetable prices. The wholesale inflation rate in January was 1.81%, while in February 2025 it was recorded at 2.45%.
Inflation rate of food items increased
According to the news, according to Wholesale Price Index data, the inflation rate of food items was 2.19% in February, which was 1.55% in January. However, the inflation rate of vegetables came down to 4.73%, which was 6.78% in January. On the contrary, inflation rates of pulses, potatoes, eggs, meat and fish were recorded during February. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in its statement that the main reason for the positive rate of inflation in February 2026 is the increase in prices of other manufacturing products, basic metals, non-food items, food items and textiles.
Manufacturing sector also growing rapidly
Inflation in manufactured products increased to 2.92% in February, while it was 2.86% in January. Whereas in the category of non-food items, the inflation rate increased rapidly to 8.80%, which was 7.58% in January.
Deflation continued in fuel and electricity
Negative inflation continued in the fuel and electricity categories. In February it stood at -3.78%, while in January it was -4.01%.
Retail inflation has also increased
According to data released last week, Consumer Price Index (CPI) based retail inflation increased to 3.2% in February, from 2.75% in January. Due to inflation remaining under control, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reduced its policy interest rates by 1.25 percentage points in the current financial year. While deciding the inflation policy, RBI mainly considers the inflation rate as the basis.
Latest Business News