New Delhi: In February, food inflation surged to 8.66%, up from 8.30% in January, primarily propelled by the rising prices of vegetables, along with milk, chicken, eggs, and fish, among other essentials.
According to the Financial Express, the sharp spike in prices is evident in specific food items. Tomatoes witnessed a staggering 42.01% rise last month, surpassing January’s 38.01% increase. Onions followed suit with a 22.1% inflation rate in February, compared to 29.69% in the previous month. Even potato prices, which had been in negative territory since February 2023, surged by 12.38% last month. Tomatoes witnessed a staggering 42.01% rise last month, surpassing January’s 38.01% increase. Onions followed suit with a 22.1% inflation rate in February, compared to 29.69% in the previous month. Even potato prices, which had been in negative territory since February 2023, surged by 12.38% last month. Brinjal prices also soared by 23% year-on-year.
Simultaneously, industrial output growth slowed to 3.8% in January this year from 4.2% in December 2023 owing to slow growth in manufacturing sector.
According to government data released on Tuesday (March 12), the manufacturing sector grew at 3.2% in January compared with 4.5% in December 2023.
The eight core industries are coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement, and electricity. These sectors constitute 40% of the IIP and serve as a key indicator to industrial growth trends.
In January 2023, industrial output had grown 5.8%.
In January this year, mining and electricity production rose 5.9% and 5.6%, respectively, compared with 5.2% and 1.2% in December 2023, the New Indian Express reported.
