Indias CPI Inflation Steady At 5.09% In February, Food Prices Rise

India’s retail inflation remained flat from the previous month, even as the gauge rose faster than expected on higher food prices.

The Consumer Price Index-based inflation stood at 5.09% in February, as compared with 5.1% in January, according to data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, released on Tuesday.

A panel of economists polled by Bloomberg estimated Consumer Price Index-based inflation at 5.05% for the month. Inflation has been within the central bank’s tolerance band of 4% (+/-2%) for three straight months since September.

Food price inflation increased to 8.66% in February, as compared with 8.30% in January. Vegetable prices rose 30.25% year-on-year.