Wholesale inflation jumps to 11.39% in Sept as food, fuel costs rise

India’s wholesale inflation accelerated to 11.39 per cent in September 2026 from 9.92 per cent in August, driven by a sharp rise in fuel and power prices, higher manufacturing costs and rising food inflation, according to provisional data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday.The latest figures point to intensifying price pressures across several key sectors, with crude petroleum, mineral oils, basic metals and chemicals among the major contributors to the increase in wholesale prices.
The All-India Wholesale Price Index (WPI) rose to 112.5 in September from 110.8 in August, reflecting an increase in prices across major commodity groups.Fuel and power inflation climbed to 25.85 per cent in September from 22.93 per cent in the previous month. Inflation in manufactured products also accelerated to 9.76 per cent from 8.37 per cent, while primary articles inflation increased to 8.67 per cent from 7.76 per cent.According to the ministry, mineral oils, food articles, crude petroleum and natural gas, coal and lignite, basic metals, chemicals, textiles, rubber and plastic products, and electrical equipment were among the key drivers of wholesale price inflation during the month.

STORY | WPI inflation rises to 11.39% in Sep on rise in prices of food, fuel, manufactured items India's wholesale price-based inflation rose to 11.39 per cent in September, compared to 9.92 per cent in August, on rising prices of food, manufactured items, and fuel and power, government data showed on Wednesday. Inflation in the food index rose to 8.66 per cent in September from 7.05 per cent in August. In manufactured items, WPI inflation was at a series high of 9.76 per cent, higher than 8.37 per cent in August. In the fuel and power basket, Wholesale Price Index (WPI)-based inflation was 25.85 per cent in September, compared to 22.93 per cent in the previous month. Across groups, mineral oils (containing petroleum products), food articles, crude petroleum & natural gas, coal and lignite, manufacture of basic metals, chemicals and chemical products, textiles, rubber and plastic products and electrical equipments have been drivers of WPI inflation in September 2026, the Commerce and Industry ministry said while releasing the WPI data. READ: https://t.co/C385kFtTXM

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Food Inflation Picks Up Pace
Food-related price pressures also intensified in September, with inflation in the WPI Food Index rising to 8.66 per cent from 7.05 per cent in August. The index, which covers food articles and manufactured food products, increased to 120.4 from 118.5 during the period.Within primary articles, food inflation rose to 8.14 per cent in September from 5.67 per cent in August, indicating a sharper increase in wholesale prices of food commodities.However, inflation in non-food articles eased to 10.28 per cent from 14.79 per cent, offering some relief amid the broader increase in wholesale prices.Among manufactured products, basic metals inflation surged to 16.96 per cent in September from 10.88 per cent in August. Inflation in chemicals and chemical products rose to 16.74 per cent from 14.30 per cent, while textiles inflation increased to 13.85 per cent from 12.63 per cent.Prices of rubber and plastic products also recorded faster growth, with inflation rising to 13.47 per cent from 11.18 per cent.The energy segment continued to face substantial price pressures. Inflation in mineral oils stood at 40.02 per cent, while crude petroleum and natural gas inflation climbed to 57.32 per cent in September.
Producer Price Indices Also Record Increase
The provisional Output Producer Price Index (Output PPI), based on the 2022-23 base year, increased to 112.5 in September from 110.8 in August, reflecting higher output prices across major sectors.The index for agriculture, forestry and fishing rose to 118.7 from 116.5, while the mining and quarrying index increased to 129.2 from 122.0.The index for manufactured products climbed to 111.0 from 109.7, and the electricity index rose to 92.0 from 90.9. Meanwhile, the trial Input Producer Price Index (Input PPI) for the manufacturing sector stood at 106.1 in September on a provisional basis.
The ministry said the final WPI for July 2026 remained unchanged at 110.0, with the corresponding inflation rate at 9.78 per cent. The final Output PPI for July also remained unchanged at 109.9, while the trial Input PPI for manufacturing was revised to 105.5 from the provisional estimate of 105.9.The provisional WPI for September was compiled using a weighted response rate of 83.4 per cent, while the final WPI for July was based on a weighted response rate of 98.97 per cent.The Ministry of Commerce and Industry releases provisional wholesale and producer price indices for a reference month on the 14th of the following month, subject to working-day adjustments. The indices for October 2026 are scheduled to be released on November 16, 2026.

(Business Correspondent)