Wholesale Inflation Rises to 11.39% in September; Food Inflation Climbs to 8.66%
India’s wholesale inflation rose to 11.39% in September 2026 from 9.92% in August, while food inflation increased to 8.66% from 7.05%. Higher food article prices and rising agricultural producer prices contributed to inflationary pressure across the wholesale market.
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India’s wholesale food inflation accelerated to 8.66 per cent in September 2026 from 7.05 per cent in August, reflecting rising price pressures across agricultural commodities and food products. Inflation in primary food articles also increased sharply, while the broader Wholesale Price Index (WPI) rose to 11.39 per cent, its highest reading in the recent monthly series presented by the government.
According to provisional data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, during the first six months of the financial year, from April to September 2026, inflation in food items included in the primary articles group stood at 5.18 per cent. This compares with deflation of 4.28 per cent in the corresponding period last year and inflation of 9.05 per cent in 2024-25. Wholesale prices of food items included in the manufactured products group increased by 7.73 per cent in the first half of the current financial year, compared with 4.84 per cent in 2025-26 and 2.64 per cent in 2024-25.
Rising food prices remain a key component of wholesale inflation. Food articles account for 15.98 per cent of the WPI basket, while the combined food index carries a weight of nearly 25 per cent. The September figures indicate renewed price pressures across the agricultural and food supply chain.
Rising food prices remain a key component of wholesale inflation. Food articles account for 15.98 per cent of the WPI basket, while the combined food index carries a weight of nearly 25 per cent. The September figures indicate renewed price pressures across the agricultural and food supply chain.
Agricultural output prices also increase
The Output Producer Price Index (PPI), which tracks prices received by producers, showed an increase in the agriculture, forestry and fishing index to 118.7 in September from 116.5 in August. The index for crop and animal production, hunting and related services rose to 119.9 from 117.1.
Within this group, however, the fishing and aquaculture index declined to 100.0 from 103.1, indicating divergent price trends across allied activities. The output price index for manufactured food products edged up to 117.7 from 117.6.
At the economy-wide level, WPI inflation increased from 9.92 per cent in August to 11.39 per cent in September. Fuel and power inflation rose to 25.85 per cent, while manufactured products inflation reached 9.76 per cent.
The figures suggest that price pressures extend beyond primary agricultural commodities to processed foods and other manufacturing segments, making wholesale price trends an important indicator for monitoring developments across the farm-to-food supply chain.
