The official Wholesale Price Index for ‘All Commodities’ (Base: 2011-12=100) for the month of April, 2017 declined by 0.2 percent to 113.2 (provisional) from 113.4 (provisional) for the previous month.

INFLATION

The annual rate of inflation, based on monthly WPI, stood at 3.85% (provisional) for the month of April,2017 (over April,2016) as compared to 5.29% (provisional) for the previous month and -1.09% during the corresponding month of the previous year. Build up inflation rate in the financial year so far was -0.18% compared to a build up rate of 1.21% in the corresponding period of the previous year

Inflation for important commodities / commodity groups is indicated in Annex-1 and Annex-II.

The movement of the index for the various commodity groups is summarized below:-

PRIMARY ARTICLES (Weight 22.62%)

The index for this major group rose by 0.4 percent to 128.4 (provisional) from 127.9 (provisional) for the previous month.  The groups and items which showed variations during the month are as follows:-

The index for ‘Food Articles’ group rose by 0.6 percent to 139.4 (provisional) from 138.5 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of beef and buffalo meat (11%), tea (11%), peas/chawali (8%), moong (5%), fruits & vegetables, poultry chicken and pork (2% each) and masur,  arhar,  bajra,  gram and milk (1% each).  However, the price of barley (8%), betel leaves (7%), egg (6%), ragi (2%) and wheat, urad and condiments & spices (1% each) declined.

The index for ‘Non-Food Articles’ group declined by 0.3 percent to 121.2 (provisional) from 121.6 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of raw jute (10%), rape & mustard seed (4%), raw rubber and floriculture (3% each), raw cotton and sunflower (2% each)  and cotton seed (1%). However, the prices of castor seed (9%), copra (coconut) (5%), guar seed (4%), raw silk, groundnut seed and soyabean (2% each) and mesta, safflower (Kardi Seed), fodder and gingelly seed (1% each) moved up.

FUEL & POWER (Weight 13.15%)

The index for this major group declined by 1.9 percent to 92.8 (provisional) from 94.6 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of naphtha and furnace oil (7% each), aviation turbine fuel (ATF) (5%),  petrol (4%), high speed diesel (HSD) and bitumen (3% each), kerosene (2%) and LPG (1%).  However, the prices of coking coal (1%) and petroleum coke (3%) moved up.

MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS (Weight 64.23%)

The index for this major group remained unchanged at its previous month level of 112.1 (provisional). The groups and items for which the index showed variations during the month are as follows:-

The index for ‘Manufacture of Food Products’ group declined by 0.1 percent to 127.3 (provisional) from 127.4 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower prices of molasses, soyabean oil, spices (including mixed spices), maida, gram powder (besan) and sunflower oil (1% each).   However, the price of salt (2%) and mustard oil, powder milk, basmati rice, gur, bagasse and castor oil (1% each) moved up.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Beverages’ group rose by 0.1 percent to 117.2 (provisional) from 117.1 (provisional) for the previous month due to marginally increase price of bottled mineral water.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Tobacco Products’ group declined by 0.1 percent to 145.7 (provisional) from 145.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of other tobacco products (3%).  However, the price of biri and cigarette (2% each) moved up.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Textiles’ group rose by 0.2 percent to 113.3 (provisional) from 113.1 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of fabric, polyethylene, bed linen/bed spread and cotton dyed/printed textile (1% each).  However, the prices of woolen woven cloth, terry towel and carpets and other floor coverings of textiles (1% each) declined.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Wearing Apparel’ group rose by 0.6 percent to 134.1 (provisional) from 133.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of manufacture of wearing apparel (woven), except fur apparel (1%).

The index for ‘Manufacture of Leather and Related Products’ group rose by 0.2 percent to 120.2 (provisional) from 120.0 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of waterproof footwear and canvas shoes (2% each) and gloves of leather (1%).

The index for ‘Manufacture of Wood and Products of Wood and Cork’ group rose by 0.3 percent to 131.3 (provisional) from 130.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of wooden panel, lamination wooden sheets/veneer sheets (1% each).

The index for ‘Printing and Reproduction of Recorded Media’ group declined by 0.4 percent to 142.7 (provisional) from 143.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of hologram (3D) (17%) and printed form & schedule, printed labels/posters/calendars and newspaper (1% each).

The index for ‘Manufacture of Chemicals and Chemical Products’ group declined by 0.2 percent to 111.4 (provisional) from 111.6 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of poly propylene (PP) (4%), mono ethyl glycol and oleoresin (3% each), insecticide and pesticide and phthalic anhydride (2% each) and polyester film (metalized), explosive, safety matches (match box), poly vinyl chloride (PVC), liquid air & other gaseous products, sodium silicate, plasticizer, ethylene oxide, organic solvent and catalysts (1% each).  However, the price of XLPE Compound, adhesive tape (non-medicinal) and hydrogen peroxide (2% each) and ammonia gas, ammonium phosphate, camphor, sulphuric acid, powder coating material, acrylic fibre, agro chemical formulation, paint and shampoo (1% each) moved up.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Pharmaceuticals, Medicinal Chemical and Botanical Products’ group rose by 0.1 percent to 121 (provisional) from 120.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of ayurvedic medicaments and digestive enzymes and antacids (1% each),  However, the price of Antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory formulations(1%) declined.

The index for ‘Manufacture of other Non-Metallic Mineral Products’ group rose by 0.1 percent to 109.3 (provisional) from 109.2 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of porcelain crockery (1%).  However, the price of marble slab (2%) declined.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Basic Metals’ group rose by 0.1 percent to 94.9 (provisional) from 94.8 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of aluminium powder (2%) and MS bright bars,  stainless steel bars & rods,  including flats, aluminium castings, lead ingots, bars, blocks plates and MS castings (1% each). However, the price of brass metal/sheet/coils, copper metal/copper rings and copper shapes-bars/rods/plates/strips (1% each) declined.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Fabricated Metal Products, Except Machinery and Equipment’ group declined by 0.6 percent to 106.9 (provisional) from 107.5 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower of electrical stamping- laminated or otherwise (8%), stainless steel razor (2%) and steel drums and barrels, steel container and steel door         (1% each).  However, the price of jigs & fixture (1%) moved up.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Computer, Electronic and Optical Products’ group rose by 0.1 percent to 108.5 (provisional) from 108.4 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of microscope (5%) and watch (1%).

The index for ‘Manufacture of Electrical Equipment’ group rose by 0.1 percent to 108.5 (provisional) from 108.4 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of PVC insulated cable and light fitting accessories (2% each) and aluminium/alloy conductor,  air coolers,  fluorescent tube, electrical relay/conductor, generator parts, batteries and electric mixers/grinders/food processors (1% each), However, the price of microwave oven and connector/plug/socket/holder-electric (3% each), rubber insulated cables (2%) and electric filament type lamps, ACSR conductors and insulating & flexible wire (1% each) declined.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Machinery and Equipment’ group rose by 0.1 percent to 108.4 (provisional) from 108.3 (provisional) for the previous month due to higher price of pressure vessel and tank for fermentation & other food processing (3%) and evaporator, soil preparation & cultivation machinery (other than tractors), sugar machinery, chillers and pharmaceutical machinery (1% each).  However, the price of solar power system (solar panel & attachable equipment) (3%) and filtration equipment, hydraulic pump and threshers (1% each) declined.

The index for ‘Manufacture of Other Transport Equipment’ group declined by 1.6 percent to 108.1 (provisional) from 109.9 (provisional) for the previous month due to lower price of motor cycles (3%).

The index for ‘Manufacture of Furniture’ group rose by 0.2 percent to 117.3 (provisional) from 117.1 (provisional) for the previous month due to marginally increase in the price of plastic fixtures.

WPI FOOD INDEX (Weight 24.38%)

The rate of inflation based on WPI Food Index consisting of ‘Food Articles’ from Primary Articles group and ‘Food Product’ from Manufactured Products group decreased from 5.50% in March, 2017 to 2.90% in April, 2017.

FINAL INDEX FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, 2017 (BASE YEAR: 2004-05=100)

For the month of February, 2017, the final Wholesale Price Index for ‘All Commodities’ (Base: 2004-05=100) and annual rate of inflation remained unchanged at its provisional level of 185.5 and 6.55 percent respectively as reported on 14.02.2017.

Next date of press release: 14/06/2017 for the month of May, 2017

Office of Economic Adviser, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, New Delhi,

This press release is available at our home page http://eaindustry.nic.in

Annexure-I

Wholesale Price Index and Rates of Inflation (Base Year: 2011-12=100)

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MJPS