Retail inflation inches up to 10.36 per cent in May

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Retail inflation moved up marginally to 10.36 per cent in May on account of increase in prices of vegetables, edible oils and milk.

Based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the inflation for April was revised to 10.26 per cent from the provisional estimate of 10.32 per cent, as per the government data release here on Monday.

Vegetable prices recorded the maximum spurt in prices, up 26.59 per cent, followed by edible oils - 18.21 per cent and milk products - 13.74 per cent in May, year-on-year basis.

Prices of egg, fish and meat shot up 10.50 per cent, while non-alcoholic beverages became costlier 9.44 per cent.

Among other items, prices of cereal and its products saw a rise of 4.79 per cent over the May 2011 level.

While sugar saw a marginal rise of 5.38 per cent in May, 'pulses and products' were up by 7.89 per cent, over the same month last year.

Prices of fuel and light, and clothing, bedding and footwear segments remained in the double-digit.

Inflation rates for rural and urban areas were 9.57 per cent and 11.52 per cent respectively in May.

According to the revised data, the inflation rates for rural and urban areas were 9.67 per cent and 11.10 per cent respectively in April.

The All-India CPI is in addition to the three retail price indices -- for agricultural labourers, rural labourers and industrial workers -- prepared by the Ministry of Labour.

Meanwhile, inflation based on Wholesale Price Index data released last week, also rose to 7.55 per cent in May due to spurt in prices of potato, pulses and wheat.

Potatoes had turned costlier by 68.10 per cent during May on annual basis. Besides, pulses and wheat turned expensive by 16.61 per cent and 6.81 per cent respectively.