Retail inflation eased marginally in July to 3.15 per cent over the previous month despite costlier food items, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation on Tuesday.
The retail inflation based on Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 3.18 per cent in June and 3.05 per cent in May.
After consistently rising since January this year, retail inflation saw the first moderate dip in six months due to weak demand conditions in the economy.
As per the data released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the inflation in the food basket was 2.36 per cent in July, marginally up from 2.25 per cent in the previous month.
While inflation fell last year because of declining food prices, economists suggest that the recent moderation is because of slowing demand in rural and urban areas.
Retail inflation is well below the RBI's comfort level. The government has asked the central bank to keep inflation in the range of 4 per cent.
The Reserve Bank of India mainly factors in retail inflation in its bi-monthly monetary policy.
“Addressing growth concerns by boosting aggregate demand, especially private investment, assumes the highest priority at this juncture while remaining consistent with the inflation mandate,” said RBI's Monetary Policy Committee statement on August 7, 2019.
In the last MPC meeting, the key repo rate has been pared by a cumulative 110 basis points in 2019 with a cut of 35 basis points.
The CSO data showed that the rate of price rise in vegetables softened to 2.82 per cent during the latest month as against a rise of 4.66 per cent in June, while prices of 'pulses and products' went up to 6.82 per cent from 5.68 per cent.
In case of fruits, the price trend showed upside movement with an inflation print of (-) 0.86 per cent as against (-) 4.18 per cent a month earlier.
Prices of protein rich 'meat and fish' rose at nearly the same level at 9.05 per cent (from 9.01 per cent in June), however, inflation in eggs eased to 0.57 per cent (against 1.62 per cent).
In fuel and light category, deflation was witnessed with a print at 0.36 per cent, as against a rise of 2.32 per cent a month ago.
"The marginal dip in the CPI inflation in July 2019 was led by fuel and light, which recorded a disinflation in that month, even as food and core inflation inched up.
"The incoming trends in food prices need to be cautiously watched, following the recent flooding in some states, rising vegetable prices and continued lag in kharif sowing. Moreover, an unfavourable base effect is likely to contribute to a hardening of food inflation in the ongoing quarter," said Aditi Nayar, Principal Economist, ICRA.
Retail inflation remains subdued with most of the components indicating not much variation compared to the earlier periods, said Joseph Thomas, Head Research-Emkay Wealth Management.
"But, we need to make allowance for factors like a cheaper Rupee, loss of crops due to heavy rains and the consequent effects on prices, while trying to judge the future inflation levels," he added.
Nayar said the core-CPI inflation may not ease meaningfully from the current levels, as demand for services will remain sticky even during an economic slowdown.
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"At present, we expect the CPI inflation to inch up in the next two months, while remaining below the MPC's target of 4 per cent during second quarter of FY2020.
"The CPI inflation trajectory may allow for a 15 basis points rate cut in October 2019, after monsoon related uncertainties get resolved, especially if crude oil and other commodity prices remain relatively soft," she added.
As per the latest sowing data maintained by the Union Agriculture Ministry, total acreage sown to all Kharif crops so far has remained lower at 869.55 lakh hectare as against 918.70 lakh hectare in the year-ago period.
Agriculture Secretary Sanjay Agrawal on Friday said that the deficit in overall sowing area has improved compared to the previous week and the gap has come down.
Currently, the retail inflation is well below the RBI's comfort level. The government has asked the central bank to keep inflation in the range of 4 per cent.
—With inputs from PTI
