India’s wholesale inflation eases to 0.13% in Sep,on softer food prices

India’s wholesale inflation, measured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), stood at 0.13% in September 2025 on an annual basis, easing from 0.52% recorded in August, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday.The ministry attributed the marginal positive inflation in September to higher prices of manufactured food products, other manufacturing, non-food articles, textiles, and transport equipment.“The positive rate of inflation in September 2025 is primarily due to an increase in prices of manufacture of food products, other manufacturing, non-food articles, other transport equipment, and textiles,” the government said in its release.On a month-over-month basis, the WPI fell 0.19% in September compared to August, reflecting a moderation in price pressures across several key categories,according to information.
Category-wise Breakdown:
●Primary Articles (Weight 22.62%)
The index for primary articles declined 1.05%, from 191.0 in August to 189.0 in September. Prices of food articles fell 1.38%, while non-food articles were down 1.06%. However, prices of minerals and crude petroleum & natural gas rose by 1.36% and 0.64%, respectively.
●Fuel & Power (Weight 13.15%)
This category registered a marginal decline of 0.14%, with the index slipping from 143.6 in August to 143.4 in September. Prices of mineral oils and coal dropped 0.54% and 0.15%, respectively, while electricity prices increased 1.20%.
●Manufactured Products (Weight 64.23%)
The index for manufactured products rose 0.21%, from 144.9 in August to 145.2 in September. Of the 22 major manufacturing groups, 10 showed an increase, 6 declined, and 6 remained unchanged.Sectors that witnessed higher prices included other manufacturing, food products, electrical equipment, textiles, and non-metallic mineral products. Conversely, rubber and plastics, motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, leather, and printing products saw price declines.The WPI Food Index (combined weight 24.38%) fell from 193.5 in August to 192.0 in September.On a year-on-year basis, the food inflation rate slipped to (-)1.99%, compared to 0.21% in August, driven by lower prices of vegetables and other perishables.The final WPI for July 2025 stood at 154.4, with the inflation rate revised to (-)0.58%, confirming the subdued wholesale price trend during the monsoon quarter.
The moderation in wholesale inflation comes amid a broader softening in commodity and food prices, even as core manufacturing prices remain firm. Economists believe the sustained moderation in WPI, coupled with stable consumer inflation, could provide comfort to policymakers ahead of the upcoming monetary policy review.The latest data indicates a continued balancing of input costs across key sectors, suggesting that wholesale price pressures remain contained as India enters the final quarter of 2025.

(Business Correspondent)