Retail inflation rises to 3.93% in May; food inflation climbs to 4.78%

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) said, "Year-on-year inflation rate based on All India Consumer Price Index (CPI) with base year 2024 for the month of May, 2026 over May, 2025 is 3.93% (Provisional)." The corresponding inflation rates for rural and urban areas stood at 4.25 per cent and 3.53 per cent, respectively.

Food inflation also moved higher during the month. According to the release, "Year-on-year inflation rate based on All India Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI) for the month of May, 2026 over May, 2025 is 4.78% (Provisional)." Rural food inflation was recorded at 4.85 per cent, while urban food inflation stood at 4.66 per cent.

Among major expenditure categories, food and beverages inflation stood at 4.55 per cent, while restaurants and accommodation services recorded inflation of 5.75 per cent. Personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services witnessed the highest inflation among broad divisions at 18.46 per cent.

Housing inflation was recorded at 2.12 per cent during May. The release said, "Year-on-year Housing inflation rate for the month of May, 2026 is 2.12% (Provisional)," with rural and urban housing inflation at 2.73 per cent and 1.91 per cent, respectively.

At the item level, silver jewellery recorded the highest inflation at 155.23 per cent in May, followed by tomato at 48.43 per cent, gold/diamond/platinum jewellery at 40.93 per cent and ginger at 32.49 per cent.

On the other hand, potato prices remained sharply lower, with inflation at (-)23.71 per cent. Peas recorded inflation of (-)11.47 per cent, while motor car and jeep prices declined 7.19 per cent year-on-year.

Among states with a population of over 50 lakh, Telangana recorded the highest retail inflation at 6.15 per cent in May, followed by Tamil Nadu at 5.11 per cent, Andhra Pradesh at 4.90 per cent, Karnataka at 4.59 per cent and Odisha at 4.54 per cent. (ANI)