Wholesale Inflation Edges Up To 2.13 Per Cent In February As Food And Manufacturing Prices Rise

India’s wholesale price inflation increased for the fourth consecutive month in February, largely driven by higher prices of food items, raw materials and manufactured goods, according to the latest data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Inflation measured through the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) rose to 2.13 per cent in February, compared with 1.81 per cent in January. However, the latest figure remained slightly below the 2.45 per cent recorded in February last year.

In a statement accompanying the data release, the ministry said the upward movement in prices was largely linked to increases in several industrial and commodity categories.

“Positive rate of inflation in February 2026 is primarily due to an increase in prices of other manufacturing, manufacture of basic metals, non-food articles, food articles and textiles, etc.”

Food inflation under the wholesale index also showed a moderate rise during the month. Prices of food articles increased by 2.19 per cent in February, up from 1.55 per cent in January.

Within this category, vegetable prices showed some relief on a monthly basis, with inflation easing to 4.73 per cent, compared with 6.78 per cent in the previous month.

Despite the moderation in vegetable prices, other food categories registered stronger price pressures.

Inflation accelerated for items such as pulses, potatoes and animal products including eggs, meat and fish, contributing to the overall increase in food inflation.

The manufacturing segment, which holds the largest weight in the wholesale price index, also recorded a marginal uptick. Inflation for manufactured products rose to 2.92 per cent in February, up from 2.86 per cent in January.

Meanwhile, prices in the non-food articles category saw a sharper increase, with inflation climbing to 8.80 per cent, compared with 7.58 per cent a month earlier.

In contrast, the fuel and power segment continued to record deflation. Prices in this category fell by 3.78 per cent in February, slightly improving from the 4.01 per cent decline in January.

Recent data also showed retail inflation, tracked through the Consumer Price Index, rising to 3.2 per cent in February.

The Reserve Bank of India primarily relies on retail inflation data while setting interest rates and has reduced policy rates by 1.25 percentage points during the current financial year amid relatively moderate inflation levels.

Please click here to add Swarajya as your preferred and trusted news source on Google

Also Read: India’s Trade Deficit Narrows To $27.1 Billion In February As Imports Ease, Services Exports Remain Strong